noon
A supply of firewood occupied a box arranged for its accommodation , and there was considerable more of the same outside ; while a new axe gave promise of any needed amount , dependent only upon willing muscles , and an ability to swing the same freely . There was the gun Thad had mentioned , hanging from a couple of nails -- true , it might not be called a beauty , for it was an old type Marlin , and much battered by service ; but then Maurice had on many occasions proved its shooting qualities , and that , after all , is the true test of a firearm . It was a double-barrel twelve bore , capable of knocking down even a big goose , provided the right charge was in the shell , and the eye that glanced along the tubes knew its business and could hold on the moving game . At noon they were passing Henderson , Ky. , and changing their course to the west , for the river makes a tremendous sweep before getting anywhere near Mt. Vernon , forming a gigantic horseshoe as it were , the last part of the turn bringing the voyager with his face into the northeast . Throughout the whole livelong day the little shanty-boat continued to sweep along with the current , which was something like four miles an hour at this point though it exceeds that considerably when the river rises , or the wind comes out of the north and east . About 4 o'clock they passed Mt. Vernon , for which both boys were glad , as they did not enjoy the thought of tying up on this , their first night afloat , close to a strange town . They were apt to be pestered by curious visitors , and perhaps boys bent on pranks that might cost the travelers dear , since some of these fellows would not think anything about setting fire to a boat , and laugh to watch the frantic efforts of the owners to extinguish the flames .