No more was said, and, the order being given, the men trudged back to the boat; the wind was fair, and soon after they ran back alongside of the brig and reported the possibility of getting the boat up the portage. "That's good," said the captain. "Then I tell you what: as soon as Sir Humphrey is well enough I'll have the brig safely moored, and we'll man two boats and go right up the river." "Then we'll go at once," said Sir Humphrey. "I shall get better much more quickly lying back in the stern-sheets of a boat than sitting about here on the deck of the brig." "I think so too," said the captain. "What do you say then to starting to-morrow?" "Do you think we can manage that?" asked Sir Humphrey. "Yes; I have everything ready," said the captain. "But suppose the brig is attacked by Indians while we are away?" "We won't suppose anything of the kind, if you please," said the captain, "for it seems to me that we're quite out of their reach. If there had been Indians about here we should have seen some sign. Anyhow, the brig's mine, and I can do as I like with her. What I would like is to come with you on this first trip, so we'll chance leaving the brig well moored, and to-morrow off we go. I rather like a bit of shooting when there's a chance." CHAPTER TWENTY SIX. BRACE HAS SYMPTOMS. Rollers were soon made by the carpenter, and the men, who were as eager as a pack of boys, worked hard over the necessary preparations, looking forward as they did to the trip as a kind of holiday excursion. Consequently, when without mishap the two boats reached the side at the foot of the falls next day, the stores were landed and carried up the slope, the boats drawn ashore and in an incredibly short space of time dragged on to the rollers, so many men harnessing themselves like a team of horses to the rope attached to the boats' keels, and cheering loudly as difficulty after difficulty was surmounted, the rollers being changed time after time till the top was at length reached. The lowering down into the water was easily accomplished: stores were re-embarked, and then, with a brisk breeze to fill their sails, the party started upon what was to prove an adventurous voyage along the upper waters of the great river, leaving the thunder of the falls far behind. Fish and game proved to be abundant, wood for their fire plentiful, and they bivouacked that evening under one of the forest monarchs upon the bank, partaking of the result of their shooting, Dan revelling in his task of playing cook, and grinning with delight at the praises bestowed upon him by masters and men.