Comrades on River and Lake Part 21

"No wonder they had to build a ca.n.a.l," said Fleet.

"It's a wonder to me that those rapids are pa.s.sable from any direction,"

said Bert.

"But they are. See that steamer! She's just getting into them."

Following the direction of Chot's extended hand, they saw one of the river boats which ply between Toronto, Thousand Islands, Montreal and Quebec, just as she was entering the rapids. Swaying from side to side, turning first this way, then that, as a skilful pilot guided her through the safer spots, she raced ahead at a rapid pace, with all steam shut off.

"Say, I'd like to be on her," said Pod.

"Maybe you wouldn't after you got in the rapids," said Fleet.

"I think it would be a fine trip."

"I agree with you," said Chot. "A little excitement is healthy."

Tom and Bert nodded their heads to signify their approval of this remark.

"But we can't go everywhere or do everything during one vacation," said Chot, "so let's be satisfied with our trip as originally planned. By the time we've had enough of the Thousand Islands we'll have to make a bee-line for Mortonville if we expect to spend any time with our folks before the fall term opens."

"And I must go to Bayville. Mr. Hounson would never forgive me if I pa.s.sed him by," said Pod.

"Naturally not," said Chot. "He's your benefactor. You owe him everything."

"I know I do," said the little fellow earnestly. "If it hadn't been for him I never would have been able to enter Winton."

"I wonder how our telephone is getting along?" ventured Fleet.

"Very well, no doubt," said Chot. "Our folks have been making good use of it. There was nothing to do but have the batteries restored occasionally."

"And we'll use it again, won't we?" cried Fleet, delighted at the thought.

"Surely," said Tom. "I feel that we had a hard enough time getting it up, with Chot s.h.i.+rking his duty to talk to Lucy Pendleton, that we ought to get all the good we can out of it."

It was fast growing dark, but the boys saw a number of lights on Isle Perrot, and headed toward one of these with the intention of seeking out a camping place.

CHAPTER XV-THE THOUSAND ISLANDS AT LAST

No more delightful camping ground could be imagined than that discovered by the boys on Isle Perrot. Lying at the mouth of the Ottawa River, the arms of which pa.s.s on either side, as they flow into the larger stream on their way to the sea, the island is at all times tempered by cooling breezes, and the nights, especially, are so comfortable that once the traveler reaches the island he is loath to leave it.

The boys had no difficulty in finding a grove in which to pitch their tent. There was one near the water's edge on the south sh.o.r.e. Across from here, Chot found by consulting his map, was Cascade Point, at the eastern end of the Soulanges Ca.n.a.l. This ca.n.a.l would carry them a great many miles around Cascades, Split Rock, Cedars and Coteau Rapids to Coteau Landing, where they would enter the river proper again.

Nothing occurred to disturb their slumbers. They awoke before sun-up, and despite the chilliness of the atmosphere, took a plunge in the cool waters of the river.

By seven-thirty they were on their way again, and paddling across the few intervening miles, they entered the Soulanges Ca.n.a.l. Here, of course, the water was smooth and still, and they moved along at a good rate, though the current somewhat r.e.t.a.r.ded their progress.

Late in the afternoon they arrived at Coteau's Landing, where they decided to spend another night. This spot is one of the most interesting on the St. Lawrence. Stretching out before them was Lake St. Francis, over which, by utilizing Clark and Grand Islands, one of our large railway systems has erected a bridge, almost at the head of Coteau Rapids. It is a magnificent piece of railway construction, and brought forth many admiring comments from the boys.

The next day's journey took them as far as Cornwall, and they camped that night on the banks of the Cornwall Ca.n.a.l, after laying in a supply of provisions in the city.

Starting again in the early morning, the boys paddled through the ca.n.a.l, emerging at the upper edge of the Long Sault Rapids, and, hugging the sh.o.r.e, arrived late that night in Morrisburg.

By strenuous labors the following day they negotiated both the Rapid Plat and Galops Ca.n.a.ls, arriving the next night at Prescott.

"Gee! but that's some traveling," said Pod, as they were pitching their tent again on the sh.o.r.e of the river.

"Well, we are past the last of the rapids," said Chot. "Everything should be smooth sailing-or, rather paddling-into Rockport, which is within easy distance of practically every one of the Thousand Islands."

"Say, are there really a thousand of them?" asked Fleet.

"I suppose there are-very likely more, but you must remember that many of them are but mere suggestions of islands-little tufts of gra.s.s, as it were, sticking up in the river."

"I hope we'll be able to find a good place in which to make our camp,"

said Tom.

"My idea," said Chot, "is to scout around among the islands for a few days to see if we can't rent some sort of a cottage or lodge, where we can be comfortable in both pleasant and stormy weather, without depending too much on our little tent."

"That's a fine idea," said Bert, "but, somehow, I imagine all such places are rented."

"Possibly. At the same time, people come and go all summer long. If we watch our chance we may be able to get what we want."

"Don't you think that idea deserves a poem?" asked Bert, slyly winking at Chot.

"Oh, by all means," said Chot, returning the wink.

Not since the evening they had subjected his verses to such severe criticism had Fleet attempted to recite. It was as if all thoughts of such things had been driven from his mind.

"Now, don't start anything," he advised them. "You didn't appreciate my last effort, so I've decided to recite my verses to the trees hereafter."

"Well, just imagine we're the trees," said Pod-"and perhaps we are; we all have trunks."

"And they're pretty well packed after that supper we ate," smiled Chot.

They kept urging Fleet to recite, but he stolidly refused. Finally, some one suggested a song, and in this Fleet joined with a zest. But when they tried to start the Winton song, and waited on the second verse for him to come in with his original lines, there was blank silence.

"What's the matter with you?" asked Tom.

"Nothing," replied Fleet, "only I'm not in the mood for original verses to-night."

So they fell into the old-time darkey melodies, then into the choruses of several popular ballads, in all of which Fleet joined with enthusiasm; but at every suggestion of original matter from him, he turned a deaf ear.

"Well, if Fleet won't recite, I'll crack a joke," said Pod. "Did you fellows ever hear of the man who had no flowers, yet kept a hot house?"

"No; how was that?" asked Bert.