"I'll let you know what I am going to do." "If you don't mind what I tell you, I'll wallop you on the spot." "No, you won't"; and Harry turned on his heel, and leisurely walked off towards the thickest of the forest. "Where are you going?" "Off." "Off where?" "Do you think I'm going to stay with you, to be treated like a dog!" replied Harry, as he continued his retreat. Ben started after him, but Harry picked up a stick of wood and stood on the defensive. "Now, if you don't come back, I'll break your head!" said Ben. "Look out that your own don't get broke"; and Harry brandished his cudgel in the air. Ben glanced at the club, and saw from the flash of Harry's bright eye that he was thoroughly aroused. His companion was not to be trifled with, and he was ready to abandon the point. "Come, Harry, it's no use for us to quarrel," he added, with a forced smile. "I know that; but I won't be trod upon by you or anybody else." "I don't want to tread on you." "Yes, you do; you needn't think you are going to lord it over me in that way. I will go back to the poorhouse first." "Let's be friends again, Harry. Throw down your club." "Yes, and let you lick me, then! No, you don't!" "I won't touch you, Harry; upon my word and honor, I won't." "Humph! Your word and honor ain't worth much. I'll go back, if you'll behave yourself; but I shall keep the club handy." "Anyway you like; but let us be off." Ben changed his tone, and condescended to tell Harry what he meant to do, even at the sacrifice of his dignity as commander of the expedition. An appearance at least of good feeling was restored, and after breakfasting on their bread and cheese, they embarked again, on what promised to be a perilous voyage. For a quarter of a mile below, the bed of the narrow river was spotted with rocks, among which the water dashed with a fury that threatened the destruction of their frail bark. For a time they seriously debated the question of abandoning the project, Harry proposing to penetrate the woods in a northeasterly direction. Ben, however, could not abandon the prospect of sailing leisurely down the river when they had passed the rapids, making the passage without any exertion. He was not pleased with the idea of trudging along on foot for thirty miles, when the river would bear them to the city with only a little difficulty occasionally at the rapids and shoal places. Perhaps his plan would have been practicable at the highest stage of water, but the river was now below its ordinary level. Ben's love of an easy and romantic time carried the day, and Harry's practical common-sense reasoning was of no avail, and a taunt at his cowardice induced him to yield the point. "Now, Harry, you take one of the paddles, and place yourself in the bow, while I steer," said Ben, as he assumed his position.