Even the fishing seemed to be useless while the river was at such a “booming” stage, and Jerry hardly knew what to do with himself evenings, for that had become his favorite pursuit of late. Again they had had a heavy downpour during the afternoon. Of course the roof of the cabin kept them from being bothered while the rain continued, and they could laugh at such happenings. But Frank kept pretty close to the shore, lest they lose sight of it when the mist hung over the river, and find themselves too far out. Even the boats bound up-river seemed to be having troubles of their own in dodging the floating trees and logs; for they did much whistling as long as they remained within ear-shot of the boy-voyagers. About five in the afternoon, Frank concluded that they had better be on the lookout for a place to tie up. “I know it’s earlier than usual,” he said, noticing that the others seemed somewhat surprised at his declaration; “but you notice how the banks are crumbling all along here. We’ll be lucky enough to find a tree to-night that will answer for our hawser. You notice that we don’t call it a cable any more, since we bought that big heavy rope to take the place of the one that played us such a mean trick by breaking, in that storm, and letting the boat go adrift. Hawser sounds so much more like business, too.” “How about that place down below, Frank?” asked Jerry, pointing. “Looks like a good tree close to the edge of the bank, all right. Shall we work her in?” “I suppose so,” replied Frank; and yet as they approached the spot he was seen to shake his head seriously. “Won’t do, I’m afraid, boys,” he observed. “But, Frank, that tree would hold a church; it’s a big chap, and not rotten either, so far as I can see,” Bluff remarked. “And look at its roots sticking out, would you?” Jerry added; “why, Frank, even some of them would hold the boat, if we didn’t want to climb the bank.” “There’s danger of a cave-in, boys,” Frank went on to say. “One must have gone right above here, this very afternoon; and if ever it does come, why, you can see that giant tree must topple over into the river. They always fall that way.” “Wow! excuse me!” cried Bluff, as he craned his neck to look up at the towering top of the big tree. “Why, if that ever came down on our _Pot Luck_, there wouldn’t be a grease spot left of her.” “How about the crew?” demanded Will. “I move we go on, fellows. Better find a tree that’s further away; or else just throw our old mud-hook overboard, and come to an anchor for one night.” Just below they discovered a safe bay, where the water was deep, and a convenient tree back from the shore offered a chance to secure the hawser. Here they hastened to enter, and tie up. “No danger in this place; is there, Frank?” asked Will, a little apprehensively. “Not at all,” came the reply, in a tone that quieted all Will’s fears; for he had the most unbounded faith in his chum.