"There is nothing so inspiring to the woman who prepares a meal as to have people eat it and know they enjoy it," said she.
The boys assured her that they had never had better things to eat in their lives, and after a hearty handshake all around, with Mr. and Mrs. Creighton standing on the little wharf, waving their hands, the five canoes pushed off and went skimming over the water to the northward.
"We'll keep along the east shore for a while," said Bert, "until we see how much of a breeze is coming up to-day. It gets pretty rough out in the middle there sometimes--rough for canoes, I mean."
They accepted his advice, knowing that he was familiar with every corner of the lake, and paddled easily for nothing was to be gained by hurrying.
Bert showed himself to be a fine canoeist. They all admired his long, graceful stroke with the single blade. His canoe was of the Canadian pattern, much like those owned by Chot, Tom and Pod, and of about the same size.
"Reminds me of the Spanish Armada, going into battle," said Fleet, as he cast his eye over the little squadron. "Eh, how about it, Admiral Duncan?"
"Ay, ay, Christopher Columbus. Shift your lee bow until you sight Hurricane Island, then hold a straight course for Cape Cod light. Don't give up the ship until we have met the enemy and they are ours. Reply by wireless if you receive my message distinctly."
"Message received distinctly," said Fleet "England expects every man to do his duty."
"Speaking of England," said Bert, "when we are going up Lake Champlain I'll show you where McDonough fought his famous battle in 1814."
"That will be interesting," said Tom. "I have always admired the way he riddled the English fleet. I don't believe there has ever been a naval battle in which greater wisdom was displayed by the commanding officers than in the battle of Plattsburg Bay."
"As far as battles go," said Chot, "this is a famous locality. All during the colonial days and even in the War of the Revolution, this was a familiar stamping ground for the soldiers of America, England and France, to say nothing of the Indians."
"That's so. Fort Ticonderoga must be around here somewhere," said Pod.
"I doubt if we shall see old Ticonderoga," said Bert. "It will be some miles below us when we enter Lake Champlain, and we can not visit it without losing considerable time."