ey began to see boats
passing along.

So far the little tub in which the would-be purchaser of their gig was
seated was the only one they had seen on the water, but they were
approaching a village now, and in low places they had seen high posts a
short distance from the water's edge, on which were festooned long nets
such as were used for the salmon at the time they run.

As soon as they had landed, a fire was lit, the fish cleaned, and the
remainder of the bread and butter left from the last meal brought
ashore. After which, as an experiment, it was decided to roast the
smelts before the blaze, a task they achieved with more or less success.

As each fish was deemed sufficiently cooked it was eaten at once--a
piece of bread forming the plate--and, with the exception of wanting
salt, declared to be delicious.

"Ever so much better than chub, Bob," said Dexter, to which for a wonder
that young gentleman agreed.

Evening soon came on, and as it was considered doubtful whether they
could find as satisfactory a place for their night's rest as that where
they were, it was decided to stop, and go on at sunrise next morning.

"We shall get to the sea to-morrow," said Bob, as he began to yawn.
"I'm jolly glad of it, for I'm tired of the river, and I want to catch
cod-fish and soles, and something big. Whatcher yawning for?"

"I'm tired and sleepy," said Dexter, as he sat upon the roots of an old
tree, three or four yards from the water's edge.

"Yah! you're always sleepy," said Bob.

"But I had to keep watch while you slept."

"So you will have to again."

"But that isn't fair," said Dexter, in ill-used tones. "It's your turn
to watch now."

"Well, I'll watch half the night, if you watch the other," said Bob.
"That's fair, isn't it?"

"Yes."

"Then I shall lie down now, and you can call me when it's twelve
o'clock."

"But I shan't know when it is," protested Dexter.

"Well, I ain't particular," said Bob, stretching himself beneath the
tree. "Guess what you think's fair half, and I'll get up then."

"But will you get up!" said Dexter.

"Of course I will, if you call loud enough. There, don't bother, I'm
ever so tired with rowing, and I shall go to sleep at once."

Bob kept his word as soon as darkness had set in, and Dexter sat
listening to the lapping of the water, and wondered whether, if they
camped out like this in a foreign land, crocodiles would come out of the
rivers and attack them.

He sa