e any too good weather of it in a
heavy sea."

"She should be able to do it all right," Jepson said carelessly, and
then he set about filling a pipe he had borrowed from Darius, as if
there was nothing in the world to cause him trouble.

After he had lighted the tobacco he must needs ply us with questions
regarding Joshua Barney, to which we could make no very satisfactory
replies because of our ignorance; but he seemed to think it his duty
to keep a conversation going, regardless of the fact that both Jerry
and I showed plainly our disinclination to do very much
tongue-wagging.

When an hour had passed, and the canoe was walking along in right
smart style, surprising me by her performance under sail, for I had
never supposed she could be used in such fashion, Bill Jepson said
suddenly:

"Look here, what's the use of all hands standin' watch? Give me the
paddle, an' I'll steer while you lads get a bit of sleep. I'll call
you when its time to take your trick at the helm."

At first I was inclined to hold my place; but thought differently when
I saw Jerry curling himself up in the bow for a nap, and gave the
paddle to the sailor, saying as I did so:

"I don't count on sleeping very long; but if you should come up to the
Potomac before I turn out, it would be a good idea to call me."

"I reckon you think that because I'm a deep-water sailor I ain't fit
to be trusted with one of these Chesapeake cockle shells; but bless
your heart, lad, I've always knocked about in 'em, an' you shall see
that I'll handle you tenderly enough."

I laid down in the bottom of the boat, under the thwarts, and
contrived to make myself so comfortable that in less than five minutes
I was sleeping soundly.

When next I became conscious of anything there was at least two inches
of water under my back, and the spray was coming over the starboard
side at a rate that threatened speedily to founder the little craft.

Jerry, being in the bow which stood higher out of the water, had not
been disturbed.

"What's the matter?" I asked in alarm, crawling out from under the
thwarts with no little difficulty.

"Matter? Nothin' as I knows of," Bill Jepson said as if surprised that
I should have asked such a question. "What made you think anything was
wrong?"

"Why we're half full of water, man, and if it keeps coming in at this
rate it'll soon be a case of swimming!"

"It's a bit dusty, that's all; but the canoe is doin' her work like a
lady.