In view of all that _you_ know, it would have been wisest to have gone back, but in view of all that _I_ know, it is wisest to come down." The curiosity of the boys was very much excited to know what it could be that Forester knew which rendered coming down the river wise; but Forester would make no explanations.

He said that commanders were not generally very communicative to their crews.

In the mean time the boat went on, sometimes shooting swiftly through the rapids, and sometimes floating in a more calm and quiet manner on the surface of the stiller water.

In this way they went on more than a mile, enjoying the voyage very highly, and admiring the varied scenery which was presented to their view at every turn of the stream.
At one place the boys landed upon a small sandy beach under some overhanging rocks.

They amused themselves in climbing about the rocks for a time, and then they were ordered aboard again, and sailed on.
Now it happened that the river, in the part of its course over which this voyage had been performed, took a great circuit, and though they had followed its course for more than a mile, they were now drawing near to a place which was not very far from Forester's father's house,--being about as much below it, as the place where the boat belonged in the mill-pond was above it.