“Very fine. And another fine one at Nantucket,” was the answer.
The boys had left Woods Hole half an hour before and were now headed southeast for their first stopping-point, which was to be at Oak Bluffs on the island of Marthas Vineyard. The Fancy rode well, riding the swells of the Sound like a thing of life. The sun shone brightly, there was scarcely any wind, and it was indeed a perfect day for the start of the boys’ motor-boat cruise.
The Fancy was a new purchase by Mr. Mason, and a better equipped motor boat could scarcely be imagined. The craft was about thirty-five feet in length and just broad enough to be safe and comfortable without sacrificing too much speed. The cockpit boasted of an engine of the latest design capable of a high degree of speed, weather permitting. The boat boasted of a fairly good-sized cabin, all of the windows of which could be raised or lowered as desired. The craft was finished in oak and all of the fittings were of brass, now polished to the highest degree. Ralph had always been a neat boy, a stickler for order, and this had obtained for him the position of major of the school battalion, and his neatness and orderliness were now reflected in the appearance of the craft he commanded.
“Don’t you want me to take the wheel for a while?” questioned Jack, who had been itching to run the motor boat.
“Sure, you can take the wheel,” responded Ralph, readily. “I’ll take a squint at the engine. A new engine like that always needs looking over, you know, until it works down to a bearing.”
As space on the Fancy was somewhat limited, due to the fact that the boys had rigged up berths in the cabin in case they wished to sleep on the craft, they had brought along only such luggage as seemed absolutely necessary. Their things were soon stowed away, and then they gave themselves up to the enjoyment of the occasion.
“Beats being in school all hollow,” declared Andy, as they sped along on their course, the engine humming merrily.
“Don’t mention school,” returned his twin. “We’ll get enough of that when we get back.”
“What boat is that?” questioned Spouter, as he pointed to a large craft not far distant.