, no human
forethought could have provided against the accident.

Harry put the boat about, and assisted his dripping shipmate on board
again. The ducking he had received did not operate very favorably upon
Ben's temper, and he roundly reproached his companion for his
carelessness. The steersman replied with becoming spirit to this
groundless charge, telling him he had better keep his eyes open the
rest of the night. Wet and chilly as he was, Ben couldn't help
growling; and both evidently realized that the affair was not half as
romantic as they had adjudged it to be an hour or two before.

"Never mind it, Ben. If we fail once let us try again--that's all."

"Try again? You want to drown me, don't you?" snarled Ben.

Harry assured him he did not, and called his attention to the sound of
dashing waters, which could now be plainly heard. They were
approaching the rocks, and it was certain from the noise that
difficult navigation was before them. Harry proposed to haul up by the
river's side, and wait for daylight; to which proposition Ben, whose
ardor was effectually cooled by the bath he had received, readily
assented.

Accordingly they made fast the painter to a tree on the shore, and
both of them disembarked. While Harry was gathering up a pile of dead
leaves for a bed, Ben amused himself by wringing out his wet clothes.

"Suppose we make a fire, Harry?" suggested Ben; and it would certainly
have been a great luxury to one in his damp condition.

"No; it will betray us," replied Harry, with alarm.

"Humph! It is easy enough for you to talk, who are warm and dry,"
growled Ben. "I am going to have a fire, anyhow."

In vain Harry protested. Ben had some matches in the boat, and in a
few minutes a cheerful fire blazed in the forest. As the leader of the
enterprise felt its glowing warmth his temper was sensibly impressed,
and he even had the hardihood to laugh at his late misfortune. But
Harry did not care just then whether his companion was pleasant or
sour, for he had stretched himself on his bed of leaves, and was in a
fair way to forget the trials and hardships of the voyage in the deep
sleep which makes it "all night" with a tired boy.

After Ben was thoroughly dried and warmed, he placed himself by the
side of his fellow-voyager, and both journeyed together through the
quiet shades of dreamland, leaving no wakeful eye to watch over the
interests of the expedition while they slumbered.

CHAPTER V