The autumn rains had come in with two angry storms, and Lazy River was waking up. In a week school{{U}} (31) {{/U}}be closed for Easter vacation. Dick and Turkey planned to have a trip to the inland by boat,{{U}} (32) {{/U}}they collected maps and statistics of the entire inland river system. Water levels down Lazy River; levels down the Namoi; along the Darling and the Murray; all were{{U}} (33) {{/U}}their fingertips. They were very happy because now{{U}} (34) {{/U}}, it appeared, except the joy of voyaging lay{{U}} (35) {{/U}}them and the Southern Ocean or Central Queensland. It was clear to them{{U}} (36) {{/U}}Australia's early explorers had{{U}} (37) {{/U}}a big mistake toiling overland when they{{U}} (38) {{/U}}have opened up the continent rapidly and pleasantly with paddle and pole.
It was at this stage{{U}} (39) {{/U}}Dick's father put his foot down.
"Now listen, you chap," he said quietly. "It begins to look like a wet autumn and the river is already{{U}} (40) {{/U}}wild. A few days' rain or a wicked storm or two{{U}} (41) {{/U}}it' 11 flood. I'm not going to{{U}} (42) {{/U}}your mother worrying herself sick about you, Dick. I know you' re{{U}} (43) {{/U}}on the trip but floods aren't{{U}} (44) {{/U}}anyone can fool with. You can go for a camp if you like, but no further{{U}} (45) {{/U}}six miles from home; and of course you'll camp{{U}} (46) {{/U}}the flood level."
It was{{U}} (47) {{/U}}a blow to their inter-state dreams,{{U}} (48) {{/U}}the boys had' to concede, on reflection, that what their father said was reasonable.{{U}} (49) {{/U}}they told their classmate Fred Ingleton at school on Monday about their father's suggestion, he became suddenly cheerful.
"That's{{U}} (50) {{/U}}my dad said, "he grinned. "Now he might let me go with you. He reckons you made a decent swimmer of me!"