"De ol' man's gone, Sam!" he said.
"I'm glad of it, Clip. I'm almost suffocated."
"Golly, didn't we fool him!" and Clip lay down on his back on deck, and gave way to an explosion of mirth.
A minute later the rope was drawn in, and the ferry-boat started on its adventurous career down the creek.
CHAPTER XXII. THE FIRST DAY.
Bob was accustomed to rowing, but navigation with the ferry-boat presented a new and interesting problem which he was eager to solve. A steering apparatus had been rigged up at the stern, which was found strong enough for the purpose required. Bob took his place at the helm in starting, and managed for the first hour to regulate the direction of his craft. By that time they came to a place where the creek widened considerably, and the boat showed a disposition to whirl round in an eddy. This difficulty, however, was overcome by practice, and Bob began to acquire confidence in himself as a navigator. But it was evident that he could not remain at the helm all day.
"Come here, Clip," he said; "I want you to rest me in steering."
Clip took his place, but his first attempts proved discouraging. He was inclined to steer in just the reverse direction, and twice came near running the boat ashore.