dam was lodged a section of the red bridge,
and it recalled vividly to the boys the circumstances under which they
had last seen it.

They found an easy portage for the canoes, and were off again without
delay. While the sunny afternoon slowly lengthened they paddled on
through a now familiar country, passing Sporting Hill--a famous place
for bass--about four o'clock, and reaching Oyster's Dam--endeared by
many boyish memories--just an hour later.

Another portage, and then away at full speed between wooded banks and
green islands, to the nail works dam, where the air rang to the clatter
of big hammers and pitchy black smoke was vomited skyward from huge
stacks.

A brief dash through foaming shallows and rapids, with the hamlet of
Fairview on one side and the wooded bluffs of Bunker Hill on the other,
a swift glide into the shadows of the old Red Bridge--and then the
Jolly Rovers were on the broad bosom of the Susquehanna. They shouted
and laughed and waved their caps in the air for very joy.

A mile across the tide were the upper suburbs of the city, and
diagonally down stream, three miles away, was the great yellow dome of
the capitol, and beyond it, faint in the golden haze of sunset, the
piers and spans of five mighty bridges, capped by clustered spires and
roofs.

Soon the Jolly Rovers rounded the upper point of Independence Island and
paddled on by the city shores until the porch of Randy's boat house hove
in view.

Ned was first to reach the float, and stepping out of his canoe he
seized the pennant and waved it aloft. "The cruise of the Jolly Rovers
is ended," he cried. "May we make another like it!"

"And never a shorter one!" added Randy. "It will be four weeks on Friday
morning since we started."

They give three loud cheers together, and with eager hands carried the
canoes into the boat house. Then they climbed to the top of the bank,
and marched homeward through the city with the proud step and mien of a
conquering army. Far more to be prized than spoils of victory were their
healthy, bronzed faces.

And so the wonderful cruise came to an end--in one way at least, though
the memories of it will never be forgotten. Apart from its keen
enjoyments, and thrilling adventures, and the freshened vigor of health
that it imparted, the boys learned more than one lesson that will prove
of service in after life. From that time Randy was less self willed, and
better able to curb his temper, for his eyes had