rked.
"And I only hope no curious party spies the light of our lantern inside
the tent here. I'm not at all anxious to pick up acquaintances."

"So say we all of us, Jack, me bye," the other had replied promptly.

As the sounds of vehicles passing were heard at frequent intervals the
boys determined not to keep the lantern lighted very long after they
had prepared their beds for the night. Sometimes it was their habit to
sit up, and read or talk; but this seemed to be an occasion when it
would be better to crawl in under their blankets and get all the sleep
they could, looking forward to a busy day on the morrow.

"It's eight o'clock!" announced Jack, finally, with a yawn; and as that
had been the time set for retiring, he prepared to "douse the glim" as
he termed it, in sailor's parlance.

"Let her go!" remarked his boatmate, as he snuggled down in his place.

They were of course confined to rather scant space; and many persons
might have found it hard to sleep soundly when in such close quarters.
But healthy boys can stand for almost anything, and think it fun.

So Jack, having arranged his own bed, crawled in, after which he
reached out his hand to extinguish the lantern. One last look he took
at the Marlin shotgun that he had brought along, in the hope and
expectation that he might find use for it during the long cruise. It
was hanging from a couple of pegs just under the coaming of the deck,
and by simply raising his hand he could touch it.

Somehow the very presence of that reliable little shooter seemed to
give Jack a sense of security when they found themselves marooned in an
exceedingly lonely place, with the darkness shutting them in as with a
curtain, and unknown perils impending.

Once the light went out the boys lay there and talked in low tones for
perhaps a full hour. They had much to confer about, with the uncertain
future beckoning them on; and the main history of the cruise yet to be
written.

The last thing Jack remembered hearing as he passed into the land of
sleep was a vehicle rumbling over the bridge that evidently spanned the
creek some little distance above.

Then he knew no more for some time.

The little launch floated on the bosom of the creek, fastened to the
shore. At times she heaved gently, as some wave of larger proportions
than usual came in from the river, possibly caused by a passing
steamboat's suction. But by this time the boys were getting accustomed
to this sor