u're thinking about when you look sideways at me,"
declared Nick, pretending to show alarm. "And after this I ain't never
going to allow myself to get alone with George Rollins. I tell you,
fellows, he's got cannibal blood in his veins. He scares me, the way
he acts."

It was not a great ways after noon when they saw a red flag waving at a
point ashore. Then came a blast from the fog horn owned by Josh. He
and Herb played it for all they were worth, because this was the very
first chance they had had on the entire trip to welcome their comrades
to a camping site.

Great was the joshing that followed the landing of the two missing
boats. And the skipper of the staunch _Comfort_, as well as the crew
thereof, laughed as though they would take a fit when they heard what a
mess of it the others had made in trying the cut-off so warmly
recommended by the planter, Mr. Tweed, who meant well, of course, but
came near wrecking the whole expedition.

Their next stop would be in Vicksburg; and when the start was made in
the morning George never got out of hailing distance of the _Tramp_.
Sometimes he would be ahead; but if so, he would slow down and allow
the other to overtake him.

Another strange thing occurred on this day's run. At no time was the
big _Comfort_ hull down in the distance. It seemed that, by taking
advantage of the swift water away out there in the middle of the river,
Herb's craft could overcome the difference in speed between the _Tramp_
and herself.

And when at about half-past three the leaders found a place to draw in
for the night, reliable old _Comfort_ came booming along not fifteen
minutes later.

Apparently, then, there was now no reason for their separating. This
idea pleased them all, for they liked the social life of the camp,
where they could exchange yarns, compare notes, josh each other as the
whim seized them, and lay plans for future cruises of the motor boat
club.

Vicksburg was reached without mishap on the next leg of the journey,
although on account of staying in camp over Sunday, it was Monday
afternoon when they looked upon the city made famous during the Civil
War by Grant's persistence and strategy.

At the mouth of the big Yazoo George came near having a serious time of
it; for his cranky little speed boat was caught in a swirl of mingling
waters, and came within an ace of swamping. Only for the action of the
frightened Nick in throwing his great bulk the other way,