in the middle afore I knowed it, and dis pole's pooty short."

"Well, come along as fast as you can," cried Harry, "and I'll run down
to your house and get your axe to cut a longer pole."

By the time Harry had found a tall young sapling, and had cut it down
and trimmed it off, Lewston arrived with the boat.




CHAPTER XXIII.

CROSSING THE CREEK.


"Now, then," said Harry, "here's the boat and a good pole, and you've
nothing to do, Harvey, but just to get in and push yourself over to your
station as fast as you can."

But the situation did not seem to strike Harvey very favorably. He
looked rather dissatisfied with the arrangement made for him.

"I can't swim," he said. "At least, not much, you know."

"Well, who wants you to swim?" said Harry, laughing. "That's a pretty
joke. Are you thinking of swimming across, and towing the boat after
you? You can push her over easy enough; that pole will reach the bottom
anywhere."