“Oh, I hope so,” declared the younger boy. “Do they shoot the rapids in canoes or boats?”
“In canoes. You can’t get an Indian into a boat without a derrick, too much work to row one.”
The guidance of the big carrier again claiming the captain’s attention, the boys, their minds filled with redskins, descended to the deck, where they sought out some of the crew, who regaled them with experiences, some very fanciful, they had had with the redmen.
“Get to your posts, you huskies! Watchman, call the other watch!” snapped Hansen, coming up to the group. “You boys better go to the bridge if you want to see how we lock a ship through the canal—and you’ll be out of the way there,” he added to himself, as the sailors obeyed. For when an ore carrier docks or goes through the canal, all the crew are called on duty, regardless of whether it is their watch on or off.
“Are we at the Soo now?” asked Phil.
“Will be in about ten minutes. See those lights ahead? The ones on the right are in the Canadian town. Some difference between that glim and the one on our side, to the left, what?”
“I should say so, but what are all those red, green, and white lights just ahead of us?” asked Ted, as they mounted to the bridge.
“Boats waiting to lock through,” replied the first mate.
“Which means you will get your chance to shoot the rapids all right,” observed the captain. “We shall be lucky if we get through before noon, there are so many ahead of us. Mr. Adams, when you find a good berth, let the anchors go.”