own don't get broke"; and Harry brandished his
cudgel in the air.

Ben glanced at the club, and saw from the flash of Harry's bright eye
that he was thoroughly aroused. His companion was not to be trifled
with, and he was ready to abandon the point.

"Come, Harry, it's no use for us to quarrel," he added, with a forced
smile.

"I know that; but I won't be trod upon by you or anybody else."

"I don't want to tread on you."

"Yes, you do; you needn't think you are going to lord it over me in
that way. I will go back to the poorhouse first."

"Let's be friends again, Harry. Throw down your club."

"Yes, and let you lick me, then! No, you don't!"

"I won't touch you, Harry; upon my word and honor, I won't."

"Humph! Your word and honor ain't worth much. I'll go back, if you'll
behave yourself; but I shall keep the club handy."

"Anyway you like; but let us be off."

Ben changed his tone, and condescended to tell Harry what he meant to
do, even at the sacrifice of his dignity as commander of the
expedition. An appearance at least of good feeling was restored, and
after breakfasting on their bread and cheese, they embarked again, on
what promised to be a perilous voyage.

For a quarter of a mile below, the bed of the narrow river was spotted
with rocks, among which the water dashed with a fury that threatened
the destruction of their frail bark. For a time they seriously debated
the question of abandoning the project, Harry proposing to penetrate
the woods in a northeasterly direction. Ben, however, could not
abandon the prospect of sailing leisurely down the river when they had
passed the rapids, making the passage without any exertion. He was not
pleased with the idea of trudging along on foot for thirty miles, when
the river would bear them to the city with only a little difficulty
occasionally at the rapids and shoal places. Perhaps his plan would
have been practicable at the highest stage of water, but the river was
now below its ordinary level.

Ben's love of an easy and romantic time carried the day, and Harry's
practical common-sense reasoning was of no avail, and a taunt at his
cowardice induced him to yield the point.

"Now, Harry, you take one of the paddles, and place yourself in the
bow, while I steer," said Ben, as he assumed his position.

"Very well; you shall be captain of the boat, and I will do just as
you say; but I won't be bullied on shore," replied Harry, taking the
station assigned h