112 THE BUTTERFLY HUNTERS. 



" Why, Pickerel- Weed ; don't you know ? " 



"No, I never heard of any kind of Pickerel except 

 fishes." 



" Pickerel-Weed is only the common name for this blue 

 flower," said Mr. Benedict ; " but it is a very good one, for 

 the Pickerel always love to hide away among its long 

 roots. The proper name is Arrow-head. There is another 

 kind of Arrow-head which bears a white blossom ; you 

 will often see it in damp ditches by the roadside. But 

 come, boys ! we must look for boats." 



" I have engaged two large boats for us," said Gilbert, 

 "and they are chained to the branches of that Willow." 



The party walked over a bridge across a little rivulet 

 which emptied into the pond and soon came to the Willow. 

 It was a very large tree, growing out over the water so 

 that its sweeping branches formed a snug boat-house. 



"I will row one boat," said the teacher, "and Gilbert 

 would better row the other, as he is the largest of you, 

 and, if I am not mistaken, a good oarsman and swimmer." 



" O, I can swim too ! " said many voices at once. 



" I am glad of that," said the teacher ; " but I sincerely 

 hope it will be an accomplishment not necessary to put in 

 practice to-day. Still, it is a good plan to have one good 

 swimmer in each boat, for boats can upset and boys can 

 fall into the water." 



Without further delay the boys ran to the boats and 

 tumbled in over the sides. 



