The scow was provided with a mast and a sail, and, the wind being favorable, they put up the sheet, Bob showing Mark how to fasten it in true nautical style. There was a long sweep at the stern for a rudder, and the sailor boy sat by it, to keep the scow to her course down the river. "We'll have to go ashore when we want to cook food," said Mark. "We won't dare to make a fire on board." "Well, what's the odds? Our time is our own." "That's true, too." "I shouldn't mind making the whole trip in this scow." Two days went by and they made rapid progress down the Ohio. They had some trouble at the rapids, but nothing serious. Then came a day of mist and rain. "This isn't so pleasant," observed the sailor boy. "We ought to hang out a danger signal, or we may run into something." It soon began to thunder and lighten, and fearing the craft might be struck, they ran up to the river bank and tied fast. Scarcely had this been accomplished than the water came down in a perfect flood. They had already covered their provisions with the sail, and now they did what they could to keep the goods from getting soaked. The rain continued to come down, and to protect themselves they hurried away to where a clump of trees afforded something of a shelter. Here they remained the best part of an hour, when the wind shifted and the storm cleared away rapidly, along with the mist. "Let us get back to the boat," said Mark, and started out, followed by Bob. The river bank was soon reached and they gazed around them in consternation. The scow was gone! CHAPTER V UP A TREE "Somebody has taken our boat, Bob!" "It looks like it, Mark, but I didn't see anybody," answered the sailor boy, gazing up and down the river in perplexity. "The mist must have hidden the person from view," went on Mark. "Did you tie the craft fast?" "No, I left that to you!" "And I left it to you!" "Well, I never! In that case neither of us tied her up." "And she has simply floated away!" came with a groan. "Say, I ought to be kicked well for this!" "Let us hurry along the bank--perhaps we can catch up with the scow." Without more ado the two lads walked along the bank, over the grass and rocks and then around a patch of tall brushwood. In the uncertain light Bob went down into a hole up to his knees. "Take care!" he called out, warningly. "If you don't, you'll break a leg, or your head!" "This is one of the delights of floating down the river," replied Mark, making a wry face. "Oh, it's chuck-full of fun!" "We've got to find the scow, Mark. If we don't, we'll have to go supperless, and perhaps tramp for miles to the next settlement." "I'm just as willing to find the scow as you are, Bob. Come." Again they went on, but with increased caution, for neither wished to fall into any hole. Soon they came to a portion of the river where heavy trees overhung the bank.