After finishing up the last of the porridge, we started off. Both current and the wind were in our favour this time and we made good speed in spite of the numerous locks. It fell to my lot to hand out cigars to the lock keepers much to the amusement of the rest of the crowd. Nobody else would take the job. Methinks the lock tenders must have telephoned down the line of the approach of a flotilla of canoes with a supply of cigars for, in contrast to the up-journey, each lock was in readiness and all hands ready to help us through.

The cigars did the trick all right.

Our last meal together was eaten on Baker's Island a few miles east of Trenton. We had a real banquet as a parting celebration - ham sandwiches, jam sandwiches, small cherry or apple pies, cakes with icing, oranges and tea - what a spread.

The wind was in the northwest and the rollers were coming down the bay splendidly so the paddle home was done with ease.

Paddling homeward down the Bay
From the Trent canal away
Where the sunshine’s brightest ray
Smiled on hearts so young and gay
Gliding onward day by day;
From the field of new mown hay
Where the kingbird sang its lay
As the twilight turned to gray;
From Rice Lake whose saucy spray
Tried to stop us on our way;
Would that I were there to-day
Instead of paddling down the Bay.

The first canoe reached the boat house at Belleville at ten minutes to four. This, then was the end of our canoe trip. Yet, is it the end? Have we not stored up some treasured memories which can be recalled many times to give us hours of pleasure? Personally I have enjoyed this Canoe trip as much as any of the trips which I have taken and shall look forward to renewing the friendships I have made on another such journey within the not too distant future.

And so another chapter is written in that most interesting book called ’Memory’.