"This is smooth work," continued Frank. "Can't we give a little variety to the excursion?"
"What?"
"Hoist the yellow, signalman," replied the commodore. "We will pull a while in sections of two, and sing some songs."
Obedient to the signal, the boats of the fleet came into the order prescribed, and the boys waked up the hills and the woods with the earnestness of their song. It was a beautiful and cheering sight to see them gliding over the clear waters, while their voices mingled with those of the songsters which nature had given to the hillside and the forest. Their hearts were glad, and in beautiful unison with the scene around them.
"Rapids!" exclaimed Frank, when the boat reached the bend. "Up with the blue!"
"Steady!" added Charles. "Pull slowly."
"Tony has been very busy," continued Frank, pointing to the buoys, that speckled the waters. I am afraid the cruise is about up."
"Tony has passed the rapids. You know steamboats go down the rapids on the St. Lawrence River."
"Ah, there is Oaklawn," said Frank, pointing to the spire of a church in the distance. "We cannot go much farther, I know."
"We have made nearly four miles."