“You’re mixin’ up your officers,” said Adam; “but as a party of this kind is a little out of the general run, I guess it won’t matter. As this is a land expedition,” he said to Phil, “you might be quartermaster, and I’ll be private.”
“All right!” cried the boys.
And when Chap came running down from the sand-hill he was informed of the high position to which he had been chosen.
“My friends,” cried Chap, drawing himself up and clapping his breast with his hand, “you do me honor, and I’ll lead you—I’ll lead you——”
“Into no end of scrapes,” suggested Phil.
“Perhaps you’re right. That may be so. But you’re bound to follow,” said Captain Chap.
“He’ll lead you sure enough,” laughed Adam. And then he added to himself, forgetting that this was a land, and not a nautical expedition, “I’ll keep my hand upon the tiller.”
CHAPTER IV.
WITH HOOK AND LINE.
After standing for a few moments to take a last look at the steamer, which was now rapidly making her way southward, our party prepared to take up the shortest line of march for the Indian River.