hat's what."

"Amen!" said Jimmie, with due reverence; for that expressed his own
feeling to a dot.

The time crept on slowly. They had passed under the great railroad
bridge at Rock Island, and even navigated the river at this dangerous
point, where craft were moving in many directions. And as the
afternoon wore away, with mile after mile left behind, Jack, who had
taken occasional furtive looks at his maps, concluded from certain
signs that they were within ten miles of Burlington.

"It's nearly four, Jimmie, and we'd better be hunting a place to put in
for the night, I don't just fancy anchoring here on the open water in
this fog. And as to going on, what's the use, when a big city looms up
a few miles ahead? We couldn't get past it without cribbing on the
time that doesn't count. So keep your eyes on the watch for anything
that looks like a creek."

They often saw the gaping mouths of these little tributaries that
emptied their flow of water into the Mississippi; and Jack hoped such
would be the case now, when they were in sore need of a harbor.

When therefore Jimmie presently announced that he believed the signs
were favorable ahead the skipper of the _Tramp_ rejoiced.

"I only hope it's a decent creek, and has some bully good places for
keeping out of sight," Jack declared, as he headed for the opening near
by.

Jimmie knew what was on his mind, for they had talked this matter over
with the other fellows more than once. Jack had read lots about the
great Father of Waters, and knew what a highway it has been for scores
of years to a class of criminals who are fleeing from justice.

Of course there are many honest men on the numerous shanty boats that
float down the river, tying up from time to time at some landing, or
hunting a friendly creek mouth in which to pass the night. At the same
time thousands use the water highway as a means for eluding pursuit.
It offers such an easy method of fleeing, after committing a robbery,
or breaking the law in some other way, that the honest traveler must
needs keep his eyes about him constantly while floating on the bosom of
the mighty Mississippi.

The creek proved to be everything Jack could wish.

"This is all right," he said, after they had moved up its tortuous
channel for a little distance, until, coming to a promising spot where
trees and bushes chanced to screen them, the boat was stopped. "We'll
call this our camp for the night, Jimmie, and proceed