shed, the seams were
calked and pitched by Saturday night, and it was all ready to be
launched on Monday. By that time the rain had ceased, and the weather
was again warm and beautiful.

On Monday morning Frank March left the house for the first time since
he had been carried into it, and was invited to take a seat in the new
boat. The mules were then hitched to it, and it was dragged in triumph
to the edge of the river. It was followed by the whole family,
including Aunt Chloe and Bruce, who had shown great delight at meeting
his old master, Mr. March, and appeared to be ready to make up and be
friends again with Frank, who had treated him so cruelly.

At the water's edge the mules were unhitched, a long rope was attached
to one end of the boat, stout shoulders were placed under the pry
poles, and with a "Heave'o! and another! and still another!" it was
finally slid into the water amid loud cheers from the assembled
spectators. These cheers were answered from the other side of the
river, where nearly the whole population of Wakulla had assembled to
see the launch.

Mark and Frank begged so hard to be allowed to take the boat across the
river on a trial trip that Mr. Elmer said they might. Armed with long
poles, they pushed off, but in a moment were swept down stream by the
strong current in spite of all their efforts, and much to the dismay of
Mrs. Elmer, who feared they were in danger.

"Don't be alarmed, my dear," said her husband; "they are not in any
danger in that boat. It will teach them a good lesson on the strength
of currents, and they'll soon fetch up on one bank or the other."

They did "fetch up" on the opposite side of the river after a while,
but it was half a mile down stream. When they got the boat made fast to
a tree, both boys were too thoroughly exhausted to attempt to force it
back to Wakulla.

Just as they had decided to leave the boat where she was and walk back
through the woods, they heard a shout out on the river, and saw Jan and
a colored man coming towards them in the skiff.

The men took the poles and the boys, jumping into the skiff, made it
fast to the bow of the boat with a tow-line; and, by keeping close to
the bank, they finally succeeded, after two hours' hard work, in
getting back to Wakulla. They left the boat on that side of the river
for the time being, and all crossed in the skiff.

The rest of that day was spent in planting two stout posts, one on each
side of the river