"I steered just as you told me to, Massa Bob."
"No, you didn't. You should have kept the boat at least a hundred and fifty feet from the shore."
"Didn't I, Massa Bob?" asked Clip, innocently.
"No. Don't you see we are not more than fifty feet away now?"
"I didn't get out and measure, Massa Bob," said Clip, with a grin.
"Now, own up, Clip, were you not looking at something on the bank, so that you didn't notice where you were steering?"
"Who told you, Massa Bob?" asked Clip, wondering.
"I know it must be so. Do you know you have got us into trouble? How am I going to get the boat back into the stream?"
Clip scratched his head hopelessly. The problem was too intricate for him to solve.
"I think, Clip, I shall have to leave you over at the next place we come to. You are more bother than you are worth."