On the following day the party was rejoined by Songbird, and then all journeyed to Philadelphia, taking Aleck Pop with them. They found the Rainbow tied up to a dock along the Delaware River, and went aboard. The master of the craft, Captain Barforth, was on hand to greet them, and he speedily made them feel at home. The captain was a big, good natured man of about forty, and the boys knew they would like him the moment they saw him.
"Well, this is certainly a swell boat," said Sam, after an inspection.
"And as clean as a whistle."
"Puts me in mind of the deserted steam yacht we boarded in the Gulf of Mexico," answered Dick, referring to a happening which has been related in detail in "The Rover Boys in Southern Waters."
"Wonder if we'll have as many adventures as we did on that boat," mused Dick. "Those were hot times, eh?"
"We'll not lack for adventures if we come into contact with Merrick and his gang," answered Songbird, who had been told all the details of the adventures in New York.
There were six single and four double staterooms aboard the steam yacht, so the Rovers and their friends were not crowded for accommodations, since even a single room contained two berths, an upper and a lower. Each room was done in white and gold, giving, it a truly aristocratic appearance. There was a good deal of brass and nickel plated work, and the metal shone like a mirror.
"I declare it's most too good to use," said Sam, when on a tour of inspection. "This craft must have cost a sight of money."
"It did," answered his father. "But the owner is a millionaire so he can well afford it."
The boys were as much interested in the machinery as in anything, and they visited the engine room and became acquainted with Frank Norton, the head engineer. They learned that the engine was of the most modern type, and that the Rainbow, in spite of her breadth of beam she was rather wide could make twenty to twenty six knots an hour in an ordinary sea.
"And we've got a licence to go where we please," added the head engineer proudly.