The toil of the ascent, however, did not commence, until the boats entered what was called the creek, or the small tributary of the Unadilla, on which the beavers had erected their works, and which ran through the “Manor.”  Here, indeed, the progress was slow and laborious, the rapidity of the current and the shallowness of the water rendering every foot gained a work of exertion and pain.  Perseverance and skill, notwithstanding, prevailed; all the boats reaching the foot of the rapids, or straggling falls, on which the captain had built his mills, about an hour before the sun disappeared.  Here, of course, the boats were left, a rude road having been cut, by means of which the freights were transported on a sledge the remainder of the distance.  Throughout the whole of this trying day, Joel had not only worked head-work, but he had actually exerted himself with his body.  As for Mike, never before had he made such desperate efforts.  He felt all the disgrace of his adventure on the lake, and was disposed to wipe it out by his exploits on the rivers.  Thus Mike was ever loyal to his employer.  He had sold his flesh and blood for money, and a man of his conscience was inclined to give a fair penny’s-worth.  The tractable manner in which the boat had floated down the river, it is true, caused him some surprise, as was shown in his remark to the younger Pliny, on landing.

“This is a curious boat, afther all,” said Pat.  “One time it’s all con_trar_iness, and then ag’in it’s as obliging as one’s own mother.  It followed the day all’s one like a puppy dog, while yon on the big wather there was no more dhriving it than a hog.  Och! it’s a faimale boat, by its whims!”

Chapter III.

  “He sleeps forgetful of his once bright flame
  He has no feeling of the glory gone;
  He has no eye to catch the mounting flame
  That once in transport drew him on;
  He lies in dull oblivious dreams, nor cares
  Who the wreathed laurel bears.”

  Percival.

The appearance of a place in which the remainder of one’s life is to be past is always noted with interest on a first visit.  Thus it was that Mrs. Willoughby had been observant and silent from the moment the captain informed her that they had passed the line of his estate, and were approaching the spot where they were to dwell.  The stream was so small, and the girding of the forest so close, that there was little range for the sight; but the anxious wife and mother could perceive that the hills drew together, at this point, the valley narrowing essentially, that rocks began to appear in the bed of the river, and that the growth of the timber indicated fertility and a generous soil.