"Here we are again, war or no war!" cried Mother De Smet, as theboat came alongside. Father De Smet left the tiller and threw arope ashore. "Whoa!" cried the boy driving the mule. The mulestopped with the greatest willingness, the boy caught the ropeand lifted the great loop over a strong post on the river-bank,and the "0ld Woman" for that was the name of the boat was inport.

Soon a gangplank was slipped from the boat to the little woodensteps on the bank, and Mother De Smet, with a squirming infantunder each arm, came ashore. "I do like to get out on dry landand shake my legs a bit now and then," she exclaimed cheerfully as shegreeted Granny. "0n the boat I just sit still and grow fat!"