In the excitement of the moment the “Babe” fell off the pier, and during the subsequent hilarity the two canoes sped out into the lake. In one sat Nelson and Dan, in the other Bob and Tom. They were to change about when they reached Northwest Bay. As they swung around the corner of Bear Island a number of the Wickasaw fellows were on the pier. From the flagpole hung the objectionable white banner.
“Take it down,” shouted Dan. “It’s out of date!”
“Come and get it,” answered one of the assembly.
“Oh, we haven’t got time,” said Nelson.
“One’s enough for us,” added Tom.
Whereupon they were subjected to a chorus of angry jeers and hoots. That raised their spirits still higher and they shot under the bridge at Crescent as happy a quartet as ever paddled their own—or any one else’s—canoe. There was very little wind and what there was favored their progress. Little of interest happened during the voyage to the head of Hipp’s Pond. By that time they were all glad to lay down the paddles and stretch tired arms and legs. From the pond across to the bay was a matter of two miles over a well-traveled trail. After a few minutes of rest the outfit was apportioned and they set out. Dan carried one canoe and Bob the other, and Nelson and Tom shared the luggage. A seventy-pound canoe weighs one hundred pounds at the beginning of the carry, two hundred at the end of the first half mile, and something like a ton at the end of the mile. After that it gains four tons every three hundred yards. That’s one reason it took the party just short of an hour and a half to cover that two miles. They changed burdens frequently, but, even so, when Nelson suggested that they return all the way by water and train, cutting out the present feature of the trip, they were unanimous in favor of the suggestion.
“I never knew a canoe weighed so much,” grunted Dan, stumbling over a log. “I’ll bet the Chicora isn’t half so heavy as this pesky thing!”
“Wish we’d brought only one of them,” said Tom, who was struggling with the other. “Don’t see what we needed two for. You fellows wouldn’t let me bring things that were really necessary, but you had to saddle us with a canoe that isn’t needed at all.”
“Dry up, Tommy,” said Nelson. “You’re doing finely, if only you’d lift your feet now and then. Talking about unnecessary things, now, I don’t see what you have two feet for; one of them is big enough for any ordinary person. Look out there! I told you so!”
Thereupon burdens were set down, not unwillingly, while the canoe was lifted off of the prostrate form of Tom and balanced over his shoulders again.