"Why! do you expect this boat to keep going round and round when we get
it out into the middle of the creek?" said practical Jack, pretending
to be highly indignant at the imputation.
"No indeed," disclaimed Rob. "Only that she would go around
everywhere--up and down the stream, you know; and on an exploring
expedition, as we proposed."
"That is not so bad," Jack admitted. "Still, I think we could get a
better name. Let us see! The Merry Sailor,--how's that?"
"N--no--hardly," murmured Bob.
"The Jolly Sail--I have it: the Jolly Pioneer!"
"Hurrah!" cried Jim. "The very thing!"
"Yes, I guess that fits pretty well," acknowledged Rob.
"It's capital!" volunteered Leo.
And so the matter was finally settled. The _Jolly Pioneer_ was still
destitute of paint, but the boys were in so great a hurry to launch her
that they decided not to delay on this account. They carried her down
to the creek, and by means of a board slid her into the water. Jack
got into the boat first, while the others held the side close to the
bank. After him came Rob. Jim and Leo were to follow, but the _Jolly
Pioneer_ seemed to have dwindled in size, and did not look half so big
or imposing as when in the barn.
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