BILL'S WATCH. 



O. VON ENGELN. 



It happened on the annual cruise of the 

 Get-U-Wet Canoe Club. We were on the 

 up trip, and were traveling at night, with 

 the full moon for a beacon. Paddling up- 

 stream during a hot, summer day is to 

 "Earn thy bread by the sweat of thy 

 brow;" but when the sun sets, and the 

 cool evening breezes commence to blow, 

 canoeing is delightful. The chill is taken 

 from ihe air by the warm, fragrant breaths 

 which the water, still tepid from the sun's 

 hot rays exhales, laden with the heavy 

 scent of aquatic plants. We are favorably 

 situated for canoe trips as compared with 

 residents of other inland places, for we 

 have 3 rivers, and a canal. This year 

 we went up the canal, until we reached the 

 head of canoe navigation on the Great 

 Miami river. The canal is built parallel 

 to the river for a long distance. 



Canoeing on a canal sounds dull, but 

 canoeing on the Miami and Erie Canal 

 is anything but prosaic. This canal was 

 dug through the virgin forests about 50 

 years ago and a rank vegetation now cov- 

 ers its banks. This vista of forest and 

 stream is broken every now and then by 

 the ruins of an old grist mill, or by fields 

 of waving corn. 



We had bad luck the first night. Our 

 outfit consisted of 2 double canoes and 

 a single canoe, with 4 of us to pull them. 

 The single canoe was used as a provision 

 and supply boat, and we took turns in 

 towing it. I had for a canoe-mate, Bill, 

 the hero of this tale. He set the canoe 

 rolling by leaning to one side, thereby 

 causing us to ship so much water that we 

 had to disembark and dry things. 



Our particular bad luck did not end 

 there, for we had hardly made a good 

 start, with the provision boat towing be- 

 hind, when a canal boat loomed up close 

 ahead, in a place where the high banks 

 overshadowed the water. It took Bill, 

 who was bowman, so long to decide on 

 which side we should pass, that we barely 

 cleared it, and the provision boat bumped 

 and scraped along the sides. This was 

 not serious, but when our tow commenced 

 to drag as if she were water-logged, and 

 we- discovered a big hole in her side, which 

 we were forced to stop and repair, things 

 assumed a different aspect. When we had 

 made 7 miles we found a short level be- 

 tween 2 locks empty, obliging us to make 

 a carry. Nine miles of this work tired us 

 completely. 



441 



We stopped at a spot that was ideal for a 

 camp, but it was forbidden ground. How- 

 ever, we stayed. A spring of clear cold 

 water near by, made the place especially 

 tempting. 



After we had pitched the tent and had 

 dinner, Bill took a nap. While he was 

 asleep an old fisherman came up the 

 river in a boat, and stopped to talk to us. 

 Just before he left Bill wakened and saw 

 him. 



Some one suggested that we tell Bill 

 the man had given us notice to quit. We 

 all agreed. 



"Who is that?" Bill asked. 

 "He says we have to get out of here to- 

 night." 



"No we wont! We'll stay right where 

 we are until to-morrow morning!" 



"Suppose he comes around again to- 

 night. What shall we do then?" 

 "We'll shoot the old skinflint!" 

 Bill was mad and he swallowed the 

 story whole, which incited the boys to 

 further wickedness. 



"If you are looking for trouble, Bill, 

 suppose we shall have to stand guard to- 

 night. You had a good nap; you take 

 the first watch." 



"All right. How long shall I stay up?" 

 "Oh, until half-past 10." 

 Bill couldn't refuse. He solemnly laid 

 his gun on a stump besid- him, filled and 

 lighted his pipe, folded his arms and 

 leaned back against a fence post ready for 

 all comers. We watched him from the 

 tent in high glee. 



After a time I dozed and was awakened 

 by the sound of a boat being drawn up 

 on the shore, at the mouth of the little 

 stream which had the spring for its source. 

 I sat up and looked out. Our acquaint- 

 ance of the afternoon, and a companion, 

 emerged from the bushes which lined the 

 river's edge, and walked up toward the 

 spring. By that time the other boys were 

 awake. Then_ Bill came into evidence. 

 He strode toward the intruders, and was 

 hailed by them with a 

 "Hello! You fellows here yet?" 

 "Yes, and we aint going to get out be- 

 fore morning, either." 



This in so insolent a tone, that the other 

 was somewhat offended, and answered: 



"Well, you don't need to get smart 

 about it." 

 "Who's getting smart!" 

 "Well, your getting pretty saucy, young 

 man!" 



