aying, he began to look about for
somebody of whom he could inquire. He soon heard a gentleman say to
another that the tide was falling, and that they should have to stay
here three hours.

"That's rather provoking," said Marco.

"Oh, no," said Forester. "Perhaps we can go ashore."

"Well," said Marco, with an expression of gratification at the proposal.

"And perhaps we can borrow some fishing lines, and go a fishing."

"Yes," said Marco, "that will be an excellent plan."

"At any rate," said Forester, "when accidents of this sort occur upon
our travels, we should not allow ourselves to be provoked by them, but
make ourselves contented by the best means within our reach."

At this time, they began to hear the loud, hissing sound, produced by
the blowing off of the steam from the engine, which Forester said was an
additional indication that they were going to remain there for some
time. Presently, a man came up the stairs from the deck below--for
Forester and Marco were at this time on the upper deck--and told the
passengers that the boat would have to remain there three or four hours,
and that if any of them wished to go ashore to amuse themselves, he
would send them in his boat, after breakfast.

Quite a number of the passengers seemed disposed to accept this offer,
and the boat was accordingly lowered; and Joe, with two other sailors,
were despatched to row it ashore. They were all safely landed upon a
raft of logs, just above the mill.

CHAPTER III.

A RAFT.

Forester and Marco did not take breakfast on board the steamboat, but
waited until they got on shore. They had inquired of a fellow-passenger,
who seemed acquainted with the country, and were told that there was a
very good tavern about a quarter of a mile from the mill.

When they landed upon the logs, Marco, whose curiosity seemed to be
stronger than his appetite, wanted to ramble about for a little time
along the shore and among the piles of boards, but Forester thought it
would be best first to go and get their breakfast.

"Because," said he, "we can then amuse ourselves by rambling about here,
and shall be ready to return to the steamboat whenever they send for
us."

So they went to the tavern.

Forester seemed to have little appetite for his breakfast. He complained
of feeling fatigued, and yet he had nothing to fatigue him. Marco ate,
and talked fast all the time; but Forester seemed silent and dejected.

"Come, cousin Foreste