A SUMMER VOYAGE 9 



" Oh, drink it, " I answered, as if I frequently 

 put milk to that use. 



" Well, I suppose I can get you some ; " and she 

 presently reappeared with swimming pail, with those 

 little yellow flakes floating about upon it that one 

 likes to see. 



I passed several low dams the second day, but 

 had no trouble. I dismounted and stood upon the 

 apron, and the boat, with plenty of line, came over 

 as lightly as a chip, and swung around in the eddy 

 below like a steed that knows its master. In the 

 afternoon, while slowly drifting down a long eddy, 

 the moist southwest wind brought me the welcome 

 odor of strawberries, and running ashore by a 

 meadow, a short distance below, I was soon parting 

 the daisies and filling my cup with the dead-ripe 

 fruit. Berries, be they red, blue, or black, seem 

 like a special providence to the camper- out; they 

 are luxuries he has not counted on, and I prized 

 these accordingly. Later in the day it threatened 

 rain, and I drew up to shore under the shelter of 

 some thick overhanging hemlocks, and proceeded to 

 eat my berries and milk, glad of an excuse not to 

 delay my lunch longer. While tarrying here I 

 heard young voices up stream, and looking in that 

 direction saw two boys coming down the rapids on 

 rude floats. They were racing along at a lively 

 pace, each with a pole in his hand, dexterously 

 avoiding the rocks and the breakers, and schooling 

 themselves thus early in the duties and perils of the 

 raftsmen. As they saw me one observed to the 

 other, 



