ttle follower were released.

Passing through a lock in a small boat, and in company with a
canal-boat, is not a perfectly safe thing to do, for if the ropes which
fasten the canal-boat should break--which they sometimes do--the water
rushing in through the sluices would force the canal-boat against the
lower gate, and crush the small boat like an egg-shell. It is therefore
best always to pass through a lock alone, or in company with other small
boats. The danger, however, is in reality very slight, and very few
accidents occur in canal locks.

The wind died away before sunset; and the boys having had only a light
lunch, which they ate on the boat, were glad to go ashore for supper.
They bought some corn from a farmer, and roasted it before the fire,
while some nice slices of ham were frying, and the coffee-pot was
boiling, and so prepared a supper which they greatly enjoyed. The moon
came up before they had finished the meal, and they felt strongly
tempted to make another attempt at night-work.

"I'll tell you what we can do," exclaimed Harry. "Instead of rowing,
let's tow the boat. One fellow can tow while another steers, and the
rest can sleep in the boat."

"All right," said Joe. "I'm willing to be a mule. Only I'd like to know
where my harness is coming from."

"We've got rope enough for that," replied Harry. "I'll take the first
turn, and tow for an hour, while Joe steers; then I'll steer for an
hour, while Joe tows. Then the other watch will take charge of the boat
for two hours, and Joe and I will sleep."

"If I'm to sleep on the bottom of that boat," said Joe, "I want some
nice sharp stones to sleep on. I'm tired of sleeping on coffee-pots, and
want a change."

A long tow-line was soon rigged on Harry's shoulders in such a way that
it did not chafe him; a space in the bottom of the boat was cleared of
coffee-pots and other uncomfortable articles, and a pair of blankets was
spread on the bottom board, so as to make a comfortable bed, which Tom
and Jim hastened to occupy. Joe took the yoke-lines in his hand, and
called to Harry to go ahead. When Harry first tugged at the tow-line,
the boat seemed very heavy; but as soon as she was in motion, Harry
found that he could tow her as fast as he could walk, and without any
difficulty.

Had the locks been open and the canal-boats been out of the way, the
experiment of towing the _Whitewing_ at night would have been very
successful. As it happened, the locks wer