It was planned that they should start as soon as possible, take some provisions along, stay up at the creek all night, and come back the next day.
When Adam heard of the scheme he at first looked a little doubtful, but then he smiled and said he reckoned the thing might work.
“But you’ll have a gay time,” he added, “goin’ after ’gators with Coot Brewer.”
“Coot?” asked Chap.
“Yes,” said Adam; “that’s the name he goes by along this river. I reckon he got it because he isn’t good for much. But he ought to know how to sail a boat, and if you keep a sharp eye on him I guess he won’t hender you much. I’d go along, but I can’t back out of this job now.”
CHAPTER XXIV.
COOT BREWER TAKES THE HELM.
The boys did not start for Lowper’s Creek and the alligators as soon as they expected. They found that a good deal of talk, and a good many preparations were necessary before they could get off.
The colonel did not altogether approve of the plan, but when he was assured that the boys could all swim, he said he reckoned no harm would come to them, and that they might as well be off on a trip of this kind as lounging around the hotel.
He called Bob, and gave orders than an abundance of provisions, enough to last the party till the following afternoon, should be immediately got ready. He also furnished them with a little oil-stove, on which to boil their coffee on board the boat.