“There it is,” exclaimed Fred, suddenly pointing to a small sandy beach a short distance ahead of them.
They soon landed and emptying the canoes, they started off through the woods to transfer them to the next river. It was necessary to leave the baggage behind to await their coming back for it. Two boys to each canoe they set out, the light boats turned upside down and bearing them aloft on their shoulders. In spite of many groanings from George they reached their destination before much time had elapsed, and then resting the canoes on the bank of the stream they returned for the baggage. This was more quickly and more easily transferred so that a short time later they were once more making their way by paddling.
“Say, Grant,” exclaimed John when they had covered a few hundred yards, “how do you know all about these rivers?”
“Didn’t you see that map I have?”
“No. I kept wondering how you knew so much about the country around here. I didn’t know you had a map.”
“Of course I have. I wouldn’t know anything any other way for I’ve never been up here in my life before.”
“String thought you guessed at it,” laughed George.
“No, I didn’t at all,” protested John. “I just didn’t think about it.”
“Does your map say that there are rapids ahead?” asked Fred.
“I didn’t notice. Why?”