SHOOTING THE RAPIDS
For a long time the boys remained on the bridge, fascinated by the scene presented by the illumination of the American and Canadian cities and the vari-coloured lights on the boats, heightened by the occasional shout of a skipper or mate as one of his crew failed to handle a line properly.
Of the chief officers on the Admiral, the second mate alone was on the bridge.
“Do you think we shall get through tonight?” inquired Ted, eager for anybody’s opinion.
“We may and we may not,” returned Hansel, non-committally.
“Captain Perkins said we wouldn’t.”
“Skippers don’t know all there is to know.”
“Then let’s stay up all night, Phil. I wouldn’t miss seeing the Admiral locked through the canal for anything.”
As his brother shared Ted’s interest, the boys brought rocking-chairs and blankets from their cabin and made themselves comfortable on the bridge.
The novelty and excitement of the night scene, however, failed to withstand the gentle, sleep-bearing air, and when Captain Perkins emerged from his cabin about three o’clock, to see whether or not it was worth while to move the Admiral closer to the canal, he found them slumbering.