midday
Virginia seemed well pleased at the confidence placed in her , and Oliver and Ben paddled on right merrily . Though the river was so broad , there still might be shoals and rocks or sunken trees ; and Virginia kept her gaze ahead , to be ready to avoid them or any other dangers . The current having less strength than in the smaller stream , the canoe did not make as rapid way as at first ; still , as they looked at the trees on the right , they saw that they were going at a speed with which no ordinary boat could compete . As midday drew on , Oliver proposed landing to take their meal , but to this Virginia objected , as there might be inhabitants on the shore , who might come suddenly upon them before they had time to embark . They therefore took such food as they required , allowing the canoe meantime to float down . Virginia had not failed to look out for any canoe which might dart out upon them , for , taught by experience , she knew that they were more likely to contain foes than friends . None , however , appeared .