“Over the boat. Is it all there, Wyn?”
The girls ran to the brow of the bank. There, floating off their beach, was a freshly painted motor boat, its brasswork shining, and everything spick and span about it. A very commodious and handsome craft she was, with “Go-Ahead” painted on either side of her bow and on her stern-board.
“Oh, she’s all there! nobody has run off with her in the night,” laughed Wyn. “And Mr. Lavine couldn’t have found a better boat if he had tried–Mr. Jarley says so.”
“It was good of Dr. Shelton to sell the Bright Eyes to father,” said Bessie Lavine. “And they made a good job of it at the boatyard at the Forge.”
“She’s such a fine and roomy boat,” declared Frankie. “We couldn’t have expected such a big one, otherwise.”
“And it’s big enough for the Busters and Professor Skillings to sail home with us, too,” said Percy. “Mr. Jarley is going to take charge of the boys’ canoes, as well as ours, and ship them to us.”
“Bully! An all-day cruise on the lake and then down the Wintinooski by moonlight to-night,” sighed Wyn. “It will be just scrumptious!”
“Come, then, girls,” warned Mrs. Havel. “We must strike camp. Everything must be rolled up and secured, ready for shipment on the bateau when it comes. I saw the sail of the bateau going past the point of Gannet Island early this morning. I expect the boys are all ready before this time.”
“Let’s wait for them,” said the languid Bess. “What’s the use of having boy friends if you don’t make use of them?”
“Listen to her!” exclaimed Wyn, with scorn. “Depend upon the boys? I–rather–guess–not!”