Books: The House Boat Boys
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St. George Rathborne >> The House Boat Boys
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THE HOUSE BOAT BOYS
OR DRIFTING DOWN TO THE SUNNY SOUTH
BY ST. GEORGE RATHBORNE
Author of "CANOE MATES IN CANADA", "CHUMS IN DIXIE" "THE YOUNG FUR
TAKERS", Etc.
THE HOUSE BOAT BOYS; OR A VOYAGE TO THE GULF.
CHAPTER I.
WHAT A LETTER FROM A TRAMP STEAMER DID.
"I say, what's gone wrong now, Maurice, old fel?"
The speaker, a roughly clad boy of about fifteen or over, caught
hold of his companion's sleeve and looked sympathetically in his
face.
The lad whom he called Maurice was better dressed, and he seemed
to carry with him a certain air of refinement that was lacking in
his friend, who was of a rougher nature. Despite this difference
he and Thad Tucker were the closest of chums, sharing each other's
joys and disappointments, small though they might be.
They had met just now at the post-office of a little country town
not many miles below Evansville, Indiana, as the afternoon mail
was being sorted.
The yellow flood of the great Ohio River could be seen from where
they stood, glowing in the early November sunshine.
Upon being greeted with these words Maurice Pemberton shook his
head dolefully.
"It's come, just as I've been half expecting it these four months,
Thad. The old couple I live with have sold their house and leave
for Chicago in a week. That turns me out into the Streets, for you
know they've given me a home ever since mother, who was a friend
of Mrs. Jasper, died; and in return I've tried to make good by
doing all their gardening and other work between school hours. Now
a son has sent for them to come and make their home with him.
Pretty tough on a fellow not to know where he's going to sleep
after a single week."
But Thad was smiling now, as though an idea had flashed into his
head that gave him reason for something akin to pleasure.
"Well, I don't know; if it comes to the worst, Pard Maurice,
you're a dozen times welcome to share my old bunky on the shanty-
boat. I'd just love to make another cot like mine, and have you
there. Say, wouldn't it be grand? Of course, though, you'd find it
a pretty poor contraption alongside the house you've lived in; but
if it was a thousand dollar launch still you'd be just as welcome,
and you know it," he said with a heartiness that could not be
misunderstood.
The other looked at him affectionately, and was about to say
something in return when the window of the post-office was thrown
open as a signal that the mail had been distributed. So Maurice
stepped up to secure the usual papers, together with an occasional
letter, that came for the Jaspers.
Thad saw him start and look curiously at one letter, and then
begin to tear the end off as though it were meant for him.
Watching curiously, all unaware how history was making at that
identical moment for himself and Maurice, he saw the other smile
and nod his head, while an expression of delight gradually crept
over his face.
Then Maurice remembered that his chum was standing there waiting
for him to come, and together they passed out of the little
office.
"If that doesn't beat the Dutch!" Maurice was saying, half to
himself, as he looked at the letter he was holding in a hand that
trembled a little despite his efforts to seem composed.
"It cert does," declared Thad, positively; and then both laughed.
"Excuse me, old fellow, for not speaking up and letting you into
the facts; but you can see for yourself that the thing's kind of
staggering me a bit. Just to think of its coming today of all
times, when I'm most in need of a home. Talk to me about chance; I
guess there's something better than accident about this."
"All right; I agree with you, Pard Maurice; but suppose you let a
little light in on my dumb brain. Where's the letter from, and
what does she say?" observed the other, eyeing the envelope
dubiously, for he had a sudden fear that it meant the sundering of
the ties that bound them together.
"New Orleans, and it comes from Uncle Ambrose--you've often heard
me speak of him, and that he was a captain on a tramp steamer that
went all over the world picking up cargoes. For three years I've
lost track of him, but he hasn't quite forgotten his nephew
Maurice it seems. Listen to what he says, after telling me how
he's beginning to feel lonely without a relative near, and growing
old all the time. Sit down here where we can look out on the bully
old river, while I read."
Thad dropped beside him on a stone, and cuddled his arms around
his knees in a favorite attitude of his, while he prepared to
listen.
"We are billed to be back here in New Orleans about the fifteenth
of February, and if you can make it, my boy, I'd like to see you
here then. I've got a berth as supercargo open to you, and there's
a fine chance to see something of the world; for in the course of
three years we are apt to visit the seven seas, and many strange
countries. Be sure and come if you care to take up with your old
uncle. The older I grow the stronger the ties that bind to the
past appeal to me, and it will make me happier to have one of my
own blood aboard to share my travels. From your affectionate
uncle. AMBBOSE HADDON.
"On board the Campertown.
"Bully! That's just fine for you, Maurice; but don't you think the
captain forgot one thing?" declared Thad.
"What's that?" asked his friend, looking puzzled.
"Why didn't he think to enclose the price of a ticket from here to
New Orleans? He might have known money didn't grow on bushes
around here."
Maurice laughed.
"I always heard Uncle Ambrose was forgetful of small things, and I
guess it's true. Never once entered his head when he was writing.
Perhaps it may later, and he'll think to enclose the money from
some foreign port. Why, would you believe it, he didn't even
mention where the steamer was going to next; only remarked that
they sailed in a day or so. But the tone of the letter is warm,
and--why, of course I must accept the invitation. It just seems to
come in now at the one time I need it most. You wouldn't want me
to let it pass, would you, Thad?"
"I should say not, even if it does hurt some to think of you going
away and me staying in this bum old place," said his friend,
quickly giving Maurice an affectionate look that spoke volumes.
"If I could only go, too. I'm dead sure uncle would be glad to
have you with me on board; and think of the glorious times we
could have. Why, it seems too good to be true, doesn't it?"
"I guess it does for me. I'd like to go the worst kind, but where
would I pick up the money to pay my way? Of course I might float
down the Mississippi on the Tramp all right, given time enough;
but that would be kind of lonely business for one; now if you
could only--say, I wonder--oh, bosh, of course you wouldn't want
to even think of it," and he dropped his head dejectedly.
"Wouldn't think of what? Why don't you go on and finish? You've
got some sort of a fine scheme in your head, so explain," demanded
Maurice, quickly.
"I was just thinking, that's all, what a great time we might have
if we did start out in my little bum boat to make New Orleans.
There's three months ahead of us, and scores of shanty-boats
float down from Cincinnati to Orleans every fall and winter--you
know that. Gee! what fun we could have!" and the two boys started
at each other for half a dozen seconds without saying a word; but
those looks were more eloquent than all the language ever uttered.
Then Maurice thrust out his hand impulsively.
"Shake! Do you really think we could do it, Thad?" he exclaimed.
"Do I? Why, it would be as easy as pie. Think of it; all you have
to do is to let the current carry you along. It's a snap, that's
what!" cried the other, brimming over with enthusiasm.
Ah! Thad was yet to learn that a thousand unforeseen difficulties
lay in wait for those floating craft that drifted down the great
water highway every winter; but "in the bright lexicon of youth
there is no such word as fail," and to his eyes the enterprise was
a veritable voyage of pleasure, nothing less.
"Then we'll go!" declared Maurice, with vim, shaking his chum's
hand furiously. "Given a week to get my traps together, sell what
I don't want, lay in some provisions, buy a few things, like a
flannel shirt and corduroy trousers after the style of those you
wear, and I'll be ready. Say, Thad, what a day this has turned out
after all, and I was just thinking it the blackest ever."
"It's made me mighty happy, I know," asserted Thad, with tears in
his honest blue eyes; "for I'd just hated to lose you, old boy,
sure I would."
"Just to think of our launching on that great old river and
starting for such a long voyage; it's immense, that's what. I've
always wanted to see something of the old Mississippi and to think
that the chance has come. Why, it's like magic, that's what. A
flip of the hand and everything is changed. The opening of Uncle
Ambrose's letter must have been the turning point in my life--our
lives, Thad. Oh, I am so glad I hardly know what to do." "Ditto
here. On my part I'll put the week in tinkering on the old barge,
for she can stand some improvement, I guess. When that fisherman
gave her to me on going to the hospital, from which the poor
fellow never came back, he said he always intended dropping down
the river to the gulf in her; but I never dreamed I'd be the one
to navigate the Tramp that way. I can hardly wait to get back. I
want to be at work making those changes, and building your bunk."
"Just like you, Thad, always ready to do something for another
fellow," declared his chum, affectionately.
"Oh! shucks! that's where the best part of the fun comes in. And
how lucky it is you've got a gun, Maurice, for there will be lots
of chances while we travel down stream to pick up a mess of ducks,
some snipe, and perhaps a big goose or two. Bob Fletcher told me
he had shot 'em off the bars down the Mississippi."
"Right you are, Thad," cried the other.
"And if our supplies and money run out, why, we can sure stop in
some place and get work, I reckon. Then there's fish to be had for
the catching, and you know I'm up to all the wrinkles about that
job, seeing that I've been supplying many families here with the
finnies during the summer and fall. Say, can you come down
tonight, and talk it all over aboard our palatial houseboat? We
can arrange all the things we want to do, make out a list of
supplies that are sure to be needed, no flimsies or luxuries
allowed, and in the morning I'll get to work."
"Of course I'll come, after supper. Still in the old cove, are
you?"
"Yes. I've got a stout lock on the door now, and every time I
leave the shanty I drag my little canoe, as I call it, into the
house. If I didn't some thief would run off with it sure. They're
a tough crowd around here, the boys I mean. Wonder if we'll run up
against many as bad when we journey along?" remarked Thad; and in
good time he would learn that the Ohio and Mississippi rivers
constitute what might easily be termed the "Rogues' Highway,"
since hundreds of tough characters make use of the current, in
order to slip from one borough that has grown too hot for their
comfort to another where they are not known.
But perhaps it is just as well that we do not see the difficulties
that lie in our path, lest they daunt us by their multitude;
coming one at a time we are enabled to wrestle with the trials and
tribulations, and overcome them gradually.
Filled with enthusiasm the two lads plunged into the task they had
laid out, and long ere the seven days had expired were ready for
the voyage over unknown waters; the little shanty-boat had been
thoroughly repaired, and changes in her interior made, looking to
the comfort of the crew, and all supplies brought aboard that the
limited means of the boys would allow; so that on the tenth of
November all was in readiness for the launching.
CHAPTER II.
THE FIKST NIGHT AFLOAT.
It was a frosty morning, but something more than that would be
needed to dampen the enthusiasm and ardor of the two lads who
pushed out from the river bank where a little creek flowed into
the Ohio's flood, and started upon what was to be a momentous
voyage.
Several of Maurice's boy friends were on hand to wish them the
best of luck, and with the cheers of these fellows ringing in
their ears they moved out upon the swift current of the river.
When the group of boys had vanished and the cruisers found
themselves beyond the confines of the town they had called home
for some years, all attention was given to what lay before them.
The boat had been urged out into the stream by a dexterous use of
the sweep made for that purpose, and which, with the exception of
a couple of long poles, was the only method aboard for steering
the craft; and as it was not their design to get too far away from
shore until they were better versed in the navigable qualities of
the Tramp, the boys sat in comfortable positions and talked,
watching the panorama as they drifted along.
Indeed, there always is something fascinating about such a method
of travel that must appeal to almost any boy; for in spite of the
uplifting tendencies of education, and the refining influences of
homes, there remains in the hearts of most lads, and men as well,
a peculiar longing for a spell of tramp existence--it is
satisfied after a short period in the open and the wilds, when the
comforts of home appeal just as strongly to the exile.
No doubt this yearning for getting close to the heart of Nature is
an inherited trait, coming down to us from our remote ancestors,
and will never be wholly eradicated from our systems.
And these two lads could enjoy it to the full, for neither of them
had known the delights of a real home for many years--in fact
Thad, never.
They made many plans while sitting there, and as time passed and
new views were constantly opening before them, both seemed agreed
that it had been an inspiration that had caused Thad to suggest
this voyage, with the far-away Crescent City as their goal.
Thad had, indeed, done fairly creditable work in fixing up the
interior of the house upon the float.
There were a couple of bunks that in the daytime could be raised
so that they lay flat against the wall, and out of the way, since
room was at a premium inside the shanty, with a cook stove, a
table, a trunk and various other things filling space.
From numerous hooks in a couple of corners their clothes hung;
then about the little stove, which was to give them warmth and
furnish the heat to cook their meals, several frying pans and tin
kettles hung, while a tea kettle sung a soft song of contentment
that seemed to fit in with the spirit possessing the two cruisers.
A supply of firewood occupied a box arranged for its
accommodation, and there was considerable more of the same
outside; while a new axe gave promise of any needed amount,
dependent only upon willing muscles, and an ability to swing the
same freely.
There was the gun Thad had mentioned, hanging from a couple of
nails--true, it might not be called a beauty, for it was an old
type Marlin, and much battered by service; but then Maurice had on
many occasions proved its shooting qualities, and that, after all,
is the true test of a firearm.
It was a double-barrel twelve bore, capable of knocking down even
a big goose, provided the right charge was in the shell, and the
eye that glanced along the tubes knew its business and could hold
on the moving game.
At noon they were passing Henderson, Ky., and changing their
course to the west, for the river makes a tremendous sweep before
getting anywhere near Mt. Vernon, forming a gigantic horseshoe as
it were, the last part of the turn bringing the voyager with his
face into the northeast.
Throughout the whole livelong day the little shanty-boat continued
to sweep along with the current, which was something like four
miles an hour at this point though it exceeds that considerably
when the river rises, or the wind comes out of the north and east.
About 4 o'clock they passed Mt. Vernon, for which both boys were
glad, as they did not enjoy the thought of tying up on this, their
first night afloat, close to a strange town.
They were apt to be pestered by curious visitors, and perhaps boys
bent on pranks that might cost the travelers dear, since some of
these fellows would not think anything about setting fire to a
boat, and laugh to watch the frantic efforts of the owners to
extinguish the flames.
When the dusk was beginning to gather on the moving waters, Thad
spied what seemed to be the mouth of a good-sized creek below.
As they were just then skirting the shore with the intention of
pulling in at the first chance, it was not much of an effort to
turn the boat so that they could pole into the mouth of the stream
and go up it some distance.
Thad's steering oar seemed to work to a charm, and he was more
than a little pleased with his work in that direction; for much of
the pleasure of the long voyage was apt to depend upon the ability
with which they could guide their clumsy craft when an emergency
arose.
Fortunately the creek seemed quite deserted; they had feared lest
some other boat like their own might have preempted their claim,
and the owners endeavor to make it disagreeable for them.
Not that either of the boys felt timid, for they were both built
along the line of fighters, and ready to hold their own with any
chap of their size, or larger; but until they became used to this
strange method of living they would rather not run into any
trouble if it could be decently avoided.
Once the boat was secured to a tree ashore, they began to get busy
with preparations for supper.
While floating down-stream Thad, who was a born fisherman, and
always looking for a chance to snatch a mess of the finny tribe
out of the water, had kept a couple of baited lines dangling
behind; and during the afternoon several bites had resulted in a
couple of captures, both being of an edible variety, known along
the Ohio as buffalo fish, the two weighing possibly four pounds.
Thus they were supplied with the substantial end of a meal without
the cost of a penny.
Thad had cleaned the fish as fast as caught, so that all they had
to do now was to slap them on the frying pan, after a bit of salt
pork had been allowed to simmer, salt and pepper to taste, and
then turn when necessary.
Meanwhile Maurice had made a pot of coffee, and set the table.
A cloth would have been the height of absurdity on such a trip as
this. Maurice had settled that part of the business by tacking
white oilcloth over their single table, and this answered the
purpose admirably, besides being easily kept clean.
"Ain't it great, Captain?" asked Thad, as they sat there enjoying
the meal by the light of the two lanterns hanging from hooks in
the rafters of the cabin roof.
Thad had insisted that Maurice be the skipper of the expedition,
because of his superior knowledge of boats in general, and also
his possessing the chart of the rivers.
For himself he wanted to be called the Cook, and declared that he
felt proud of his ability to fling flapjacks and do various stunts
in connection with getting up appetizing meals.
Nevertheless, it might be noticed that just as frequently the
Captain insisted on taking his turn at the fire or washing the tin
dishes after the meal; while the Cook was able and willing to
stand his "trick at the wheel" when the occasion arose. This was,
of course, stretching the imagination pretty far, since their only
means of propulsion or steering rested in that sweep.
Maurice admitted that it was indeed delightful, and the look on
his face quite satisfied the anxious Thad that as yet he could not
see the slightest cloud on the horizon to make him regret
starting.
For bread they had brought several loaves along; neither of them
had the nerve to think of baking the staff of life in that
disreputable oven, even had they known how.
Later on, however, Maurice did turn out some "pretty fair"
biscuits--that is, the boys thought them good, and they were the
ones to say, since it was their appetites that had to be
satisfied, not those of some finicky girl who might have turned up
her nose in horror at the "abominations" these lads called fine.
Thad smoked, while Maurice had never taken to the habit as yet;
but he did not dislike the odor of tobacco, and hence his chum was
not compelled to always enjoy the solace of his pipe outdoors in
uncongenial weather, though as a rule he preferred to sit there by
the rudder and puff away, while his thoughts ran riot, as those of
a boy usually will.
When the meal was over and the dishes washed, marking the close of
their first day, the lights were extinguished and the boys sat
outside for a short time.
With the gathering of night, however, the air was growing colder
again, so that they were soon glad to seek the shelter of the
cabin.
Maurice made sure to draw the shades fully over the windows, for
he did not wish to advertise the fact of their being in that cove
to every passerby.
They knew that a road ran close to the water, having heard a wagon
passing over a bridge not fifty feet away earlier in the evening.
One thing they had been wise in doing--while the little boat that
trailed behind the larger craft could not be said to possess any
particular pecuniary value, it was of considerable necessity to
the travelers, and represented their only means of getting around
in a hurry, or going ashore when the water was too shallow to
admit of the flat reaching the bank.
In order to prevent possible loss from some prank of mischievous
boys or thieving negroes, Maurice had secured a long and stout
chain, with a padlock, and at night this was so attached to the
dinky that no one could sneak the stumpy little craft away without
the use of a hatchet to chop out the staple; and while this was
being done the owners of the Tramp would surely be getting
extremely busy also with gun and axe.
"How does it go?" asked the owner of the shanty-boat, as he saw
Maurice settle down in his bunk, and draw the blankets around him
with the air of one who did not expect to be disturbed for a long
spell.
"Hunky-dory. Beats my old bed at home by a long shot. There's no
use talking, Thad, you're built for a carpenter, sure pop, and if
there's any vacancy aboard the CAMPERTOWN in that line I'm going
to induce Uncle Ambrose to let you fill it. Douse the glim
whenever you're ready, Cook. I hope I won't have to crawl out of
this bully berth until morning," was the reply of the other, that
brought a smile of satisfaction to Thad's face, for it is always
pleasant to know that one's labor is appreciated.
So Thad blew out the one lantern which they had been using since
coming in the second time, and then crawled into his own bunk. As
he had been occupying this for half a year or more of course he
was very familiar with its features, both good and poor and made
no comment as he retired.
The two boys soon passed into the land of slumber, and as the
hours drew on no sound arose to waken them; indeed, outside all
was still save the gurgle of the great river near at hand, the
swishing of running water against the sturdy bow of the
shanty-boat, a hoarse cry from some bird that fluttered along the
shore looking for food, possibly a night heron passing over, and
once or twice the hoarse whistle of some steamboat breasting the
current of the mighty Ohio.
And the first night of their eventful cruise passed away, with
everything well when the peep of dawn aroused them from slumber to
a new day.
CHAPTER III.
UNWELCOME VISITOKS.
"Hello, Maurice!"
The call came from Thad, who had been the first to step outdoors
after getting into his clothes.
"What now?" came the muffled answer, for Maurice was pulling a
sweater over his head at the moment.
"Come out here, will you. We're in a peck of trouble, I reckon,"
continued the voice from beyond the door; and accordingly Maurice
made haste to leave the cabin.
He found Thad with a pole in his hand, shoving against the bank
until he was as red as a turkey gobbler in the face.
"What's doing here--why all this scrimmage?" naturally sprang from
the lips of the mystified one.
"Stuck fast--river taken a sudden notion to go down while we
snoozed, and has left us on the mud. I don't seem able to budge
the thing an inch; but perhaps the two of us might," returned
Thad, grinning sheepishly as he contemplated the result of their
indiscretion.
Maurice grasped the significance of the situation and looked
grave.
The river, as he well knew, was always a freakish thing, and apt
to rise or fall at any time, according to the amount of rainfall
along its feeders.
Just now it had commenced to rapidly decline, and as a result the
shanty-boat had been grounded.
As it was a heavy affair, once let it fairly settle upon the ooze
of the creek bed and no power they could bring to bear would be
sufficient to start it on its way; and hence they must stay there,
marooned, until the river took a notion to rise again, which might
be in a day, a week or three months.
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