I said-- 'Go inside the first snag above the point, outside the next one, start out from the lower end of Higgins's wood-yard, make a square crossing and--' 'That's all right.

I'll be back before you close up on the next point.' But he wasn't.

He was still below when I rounded it and entered upon a piece of river which I had some misgivings about.

I did not know that he was hiding behind a chimney to see how I would perform.

I went gaily along, getting prouder and prouder, for he had never left the boat in my sole charge such a length of time before.