So the _Rambler_ headed for Cape Vincent, where they stopped long enough to inspect the big light, first taking a view of Sackett's Harbor. About noon, they came to Clayton, where they paused long enough to inspect several groups of islands on the American side.
Then, with Captain Joe still at the helm, the boat passed down to Alexandria Bay where they tied up for the night.
"To-morrow," Captain Joe said, as the boys made great inroads on the Bismark pancakes stacked up on the table, "I'll take you through the Lachine rapids. You'll find we'll have to go some."
"You haven't got any government license!" laughed Alex.
"No," said the old Captain, "I'm not an ignorant Indian. I can read and write, and so I can't get a government license, but I'll tell you what I can do. I can take this boat down the Lachine without getting a drop of water on the deck."
The Captain was a little bit inclined to tell what he had done and what he could do, but his stories were all truthful and interesting, so the boys rather enjoyed them, and the captain enjoyed talking.
"You needn't think we're going to fly through the air on this trip," Jule said winking at the Captain. "We're going to take about two days to get down to the Lachine. We'll loaf along the river to-morrow, making about one hundred miles, tie up for the night, and reach Lachine in the afternoon of the day after. What do you think of that for a program, boys?" he added, turning to Clay.
"That's the way I figured it out," Clay answered. "There is no use in being in a hurry. We've got all the time there is."
Every person on the boat, except perhaps the dog and the bear, slept soundly that night. There was no wind, and the little bay they were in protected them from the wash of the steamers. When they awoke in the morning the sun was rising round and red out of the river.
That day was another one long to be remembered by every member of the _Rambler_ party. They drifted, using the motors just enough to give headway, fished in the clear water, and told stories of old days on the South Branch--days long to be remembered by them all.
That night partook of the character of the last one so far as sleep and rest were concerned. The boat lay at a little pier not far from a rural settlement. Early in the evening villagers came down attracted by the clamor of the motors but soon returned to their homes.