ve been.

Sunday was a day of peaceful enjoyment after the turbulent events of the
past week.

"Three square meals were not to be sneezed at," as Randy irreverently
expressed it; and not the least pleasing incident of the day was the
five mile drive to a country church with the farmer's family, on which
occasion Nugget braved the ridicule of his companions, and proudly wore
his linen shirt and pique vest.

Monday morning dawned clear as a whistle, and after a hearty breakfast
the boys trudged down to the creek laden with all manner of country
produce, for which the good natured farmer would accept only a beggarly
recompense.

Half an hour later the gold and crimson pennant fluttered proudly in the
breeze as it led the Jolly Rovers down the swift and turbid channel--for
the creek was still a few feet above low water mark.

CHAPTER XXIX

RANDY GOES SAILING

Monday and Tuesday of that week were rather uneventful days. The boys
paddled steadily, and with the aid of the rapid current covered a good
many miles.

On both evenings they found suitable camping places, and had some
excellent sport fishing for catfish and eels by night.

The creek was almost at its normal level now, but Wednesday morning
dawned amid conditions that promised a speedy repetition of the high
water. The sky was hidden by murky gray clouds that hung far down toward
the earth. So thick were they that no mist that blurred the hills and
the windings of the faintest glimmer of the sun could peep through. A
creek was in the air, and the east wind had a keen, biting touch that
was more in harmony with November than July.

Some discussion ensued at first on the question of breaking camp under
such circumstances, but it was finally decided in the affirmative.

"This place won't shelter us very well if a heavy rain comes on," said
Ned. "The chances are that it won't rain before afternoon or night, so
we had better make the most of what time we have by choosing a better
spot."

The value of Ned's advice had been tested on many previous occasions, so
preparations to start were hastily commenced. This was about eight
o'clock in the morning, after breakfast had been eaten and the dishes
cleared away.

Randy was the first one up that morning, and much to the mystification
of his companions he had been working since daybreak in a thicket of
young timber not far behind the camp. Just as the tent was being rolled
up he made his appearance with