y never have
the chance to get down here again we ought to learn all we can about
things."

"And then pull into New Orleans next Saturday; is that the official
program?" asked Herb, from across the fire.

They soon started talking of other things; and so the time flew until
George finally discovered that Nick had actually gone to sleep resting
on one of the skipper's feet.

"I wondered what ailed me," complained poor George, "and began to think
I was getting paralyzed. Won't somebody please give this elephant a
punch, and wake him up? He's got me pinned down so I'm just helpless."

Buster was finally aroused, and convinced that there were softer spots
in which to take his nap than resting on somebody's feet. Then by
degrees the camp became silent, save for the heavy breathing of Nick,
who, whenever he lay on his back, was in the habit of producing the
strangest noises ever heard, and which would have actually frightened
almost any one, unless they knew the cause.

Sunday was always a quiet day with the boys. They just lounged around
and rested up for the morrow. With Nick and Jimmie it meant a glorious
opportunity to try new dishes; or to partake of something which Josh,
the best cook in the whole outfit, got together.

Promptly on Monday they again started south.

There was no haste now. Dixieland had been reached, the air seemed
balmy; and with the time allowance that had been given to the _Comfort_
it was already an assured fact that Herb would carry off the prize.

Jack was secretly pleased. As his father had given the silver cup, he
felt that he could not well carry it off with a clear conscience. And
George really did not deserve it, after all the mishaps that had come
about as a result of his lack of wisdom. On the whole, Herb had played
the most consistent game, and done the best with the material he had in
hand.

He often tried to get Jack to acknowledge that he had purposely lost
himself in that false cut-off, just so as to eliminate himself from the
race. On such occasions Jack would drag Jimmie forward to prove that
they had discussed the chances of making a miss, and concluded to take
the risk.

For several days they just moved along almost with the current, going
ashore as the whim urged them, to see how cotton was grown and
harvested, make the acquaintance of the Louisiana darkies, a different
breed from any they had known on their long trip, and in the case of
Nick, to pick up a fe