MAKING A START.
Katy, meanwhile, had been looking after clothing and provisions. On
Tuesday evening, when Tug came in after tea, she was ready to read to
him a full list, as follows:
BOAT OUTFIT.--Sailing and rowing gear complete; one piece of spare
canvas three yards square; one oil lantern and a gallon of oil; one
compass; a locker under the stroke-thwart, containing calking-iron,
oakum, putty, copper nails, gimlet, screw-driver, screws, sail needle,
thread, wax, etc.
CAMP OUTFIT.--Tent (_made out of the sails_), pegs, poles, etc.; one
axe; one hatchet; one small handsaw; one shovel; one clothes-line; one
mess chest, containing the fewest possible dishes, tin cups, knives,
forks, etc., also a skillet, a coffee-pot, etc.; one iron kettle; one
covered copper pail.
PERSONAL BAGGAGE.--One trunk for Aleck's and Jim's clothing; one trunk
for Katy's clothing; Tug's box (_clothing, and what he says are
"contraptions"_); small valise for Katy's toilet necessaries and other
small articles.
BEDDING (_tied up in close rolls_).--For Aleck, three blankets and a
thick quilt.
For Jim, the same.
For Tug, three blankets and a piece of old sail-cloth.
For Katy, a buffalo-robe trimmed square, two flannel sheets, three
blankets, and a heavy shawl.
Thick woollen nightcaps or hoods for all.
FOOD (_enough to last two weeks, it is supposed, and consisting
chiefly of the first seven articles named_).--Corn-meal, coffee,
sugar, crackers, dried beef, bacon, and ham; also small quantities of
potatoes, beans, dried corn, tea, chocolate, maple sugar, buckwheat
flour, and condiments. (Katy did not count the luxuries of the first
day's evening meal.)
All these supplies, as far as possible, were put into bags made of
strong cloth or of heavy paper, or into wooden boxes, and then were
stowed under the forward deck. To carry them and the rest of the
luggage down to the wharf, a box was fastened upon Jim's hand-sled,
and several trips were made.
At last Wednesday afternoon came, and the preparations for the
adventurous journey were complete. All the morning had been spent by
Tug and Jim in packing away goods in the boat, while Aleck and Kate
finished the home-leaving, bringing down a final sled-load with them
about two o'clock. Besides this, Katy's arms were full of
"suspicious-looking" bundles, as Tug noticed, the contents of which
she refused to let any one know before night.
The boat lay hidden underneath the warehouse wharf, and of the few who
knew of their intentions nobody seemed to have let out the secret;
moreover, the day was unusually cold and somewhat windy, so that few
skaters were out, at least, so far down the river. Thus they were not
annoyed by inquisitive visitors. Ten minutes after Aleck and Kate
arrived the final package had been stowed, the mantle of canvas spread
over, the oars and rolled-up tent laid on top, and Tug announced
everything ready.
"Then let's be off," said Aleck, as he buckled the last strap of his
left skate, and stood up.
"Not till you give the word of command, Captain."
"Captain!" echoed Jim, standing very straight.
"Captain!" Kate caught up the word, and made a funny girlish imitation
of an officer's salute. "Not till you give the order, sir!"
"Oho!" laughed Aleck. "That's election by acclamation, I should say!
All right; only, if I'm to be Captain, remember you must do as I say
at once, and save any arguing about it until afterwards. When you get
tired you can vote me out as you voted me in. Will you agree?"
"Yes--agreed!" cried all three.
"Then my first order is 'Forward!'" and so saying he seized a
drag-rope and sent the sledge-boat spinning out upon the smooth ice
far from under the shadow of the wharf, showing how easily it could be
run in spite of its weight, which was not less than five hundred
pounds.
[Illustration: "A MOMENT LATER THEY WERE OFF."]
A moment later they were off on the first strokes of a trip that
proved far more eventful than any of them anticipated--Aleck with the
drag-rope, Tug by his side, Jim pulling his sled, Rex leaping and
barking, and Kate bringing up the rear with her hands on the
stern-rail of the boat. Two or three boys and men called after them,
and one followed a little way, but he was sent back with short
answers, and in a few moments the church spires, the big, bell-crowned
cupola of the High School, and the lofty spans of the railway bridge
had been left far behind. Not much was said, for even heedless Jim
felt that this was a serious undertaking, and the pleasant scenes they
had known so long might never be revisited.