As soon as the boys’ valises and the other traps had been put ashore, the boat was turned about, and, with Adam’s help, was launched into the surf.
The pull back through the breakers was harder than the coming in, but the four men knew their business, and the stanch life-boat easily breasted every line of surf.
In five minutes they were out in smooth water and pulling hard for the steamer. As soon as they reached it the boat was hauled up, the vessel was put about, and with a farewell blast from her steam-whistle, she proceeded on her way.
“Hurrah!” cried Chap, waving his cap over his head. “Now I feel that we are really our own masters, and that we’re going to have the rarest old time we’ve ever known. Boys, the whole continent is before us!”
“That’s the trouble of it,” said Phil. “If there wasn’t quite so much continent before us we might expect to get home sooner.”
“Trouble? Home?” cried Chap. “Don’t let anybody mention such things to me. I’m gayer than the larkiest lark that ever flapped himself aloft!”
And, with these words, he ran to the top of a little sand hillock to see as much of the continent as he could.
“If I were you fellers,” said Adam, “I’d make that young man captain. You’ll never be able to manage him if you don’t let him go ahead.”
“Good!” said Phil; “let’s make him captain, and you, Phœnix, ought to be treasurer, for you carry the funds.”
“And what’ll you be?” asked Phœnix.