t of further
rhapsodies, suddenly fell asleep.

In the morning he awoke all of a piece, as boys do, and rolling over,
said instantly:

"Natalie is sure the prettiest name there is!"

* * * * *

Later in the day in the middle of their somewhat hopeless deliberations
upon the repairing of the half-submerged _Flat-iron_--her flimsily hung
planks had been started even by her gentle journey on the river--there
was a hail from down-stream. Looking, they saw four swart figures
bending one after another in a tracking-harness, crawling around the
edge of the cut-bank below. Presently a sharp prow nosed around the
bend; and a long, low, double-ended galley swung into view, floating
lazily on the current like a gigantic duck.

"A York boat!" cried Charley in surprise. "Didn't know any was due!
Here's your chance to cross the lake!"

"Hm!" said Garth doubtfully. "We'll find out, first, what news she
brings from below."

At the sight of the open water ahead, the breeds redoubled their
shouting, and hit up their pace. It was interesting to see how, once
having got her under way, they could allow nothing to stop them; but
needs must crash through obstructions regardless; slipping scrambling,
literally clawing their way along. Whenever the rope caught, it was
the part of the fourth man to slip out of his collar, and disengage it,
without stopping the others. It was racking work on the frame of a man;
but the feather-headed breeds ceaselessly chattered and shouted, like
boys out of school; roaring with laughter when any one of the four came
down. In the stern stood the helmsman, pulling her head around, with a
mighty sweep, extending astern; and the other four of the crew, resting
from their spell of tracking, fended her off the bank with poles. The
York boat, pointed bow and stern, low amidships, and undecked, reminded
Garth of the pictures he had seen of ancient Norse galleys.

Arriving opposite the cabin, they all leaped aboard; and poling across,
landed in front of where Garth and Charley stood. Natalie, not caring to
run the gauntlet of another battery of stupid stares, had retired to the
cabin. On the prow of the boat, which had a dingy, weather-beaten look,
very different from the smart green and white craft of the "Company," was
crookedly painted the name _Loseis_. Making her fast, the breeds, with
furtive stares at Garth, threw themselves on the ground like tired dogs.
It was not long, h