CHAPTER II.

THE FIKST NIGHT AFLOAT.


It was a frosty morning, but something more than that would be
needed to dampen the enthusiasm and ardor of the two lads who
pushed out from the river bank where a little creek flowed into
the Ohio's flood, and started upon what was to be a momentous
voyage.

Several of Maurice's boy friends were on hand to wish them the
best of luck, and with the cheers of these fellows ringing in
their ears they moved out upon the swift current of the river.

When the group of boys had vanished and the cruisers found
themselves beyond the confines of the town they had called home
for some years, all attention was given to what lay before them.

The boat had been urged out into the stream by a dexterous use of
the sweep made for that purpose, and which, with the exception of
a couple of long poles, was the only method aboard for steering
the craft; and as it was not their design to get too far away from
shore until they were better versed in the navigable qualities of
the Tramp, the boys sat in comfortable positions and talked,
watching the panorama as they drifted along.

Indeed, there always is something fascinating about such a method
of travel that must appeal to almost any boy; for in spite of the
uplifting tendencies of education, and the refining influences of