As for Bob, he thought the time would never pass until he would find himself aboard the Eagle. That very day he began to sort over his clothes, trying to decide which he should take, and he had such a miscellaneous collection of garments that, when his mother saw them, she laughed.
"Bob!" she exclaimed. "It would take three trunks to hold them, and I don't believe sailors are ever allowed more than one. At least, in all the pictures I ever saw of sailors going on board a ship they only had a small box or bag on their shoulder, and, of course, that must have contained all their clothes."
"I guess you're right, mother. I'll have to sort out some of these."
"Never mind. I'll do that. But what in the world are you doing with those rubber boots?"
"I was going to take them along."
"Sailors seldom wear rubber boots. They go barefoot when it's wet on deck." For Mrs. Henderson knew something about seafaring men, from her long acquaintance with Captain Spark.
"Another mistake," admitted Bob, good-naturedly. "Guess I've got lots to learn about the ocean and ships."
"Yes indeed, Bob. And I hope you will profit by it. It is no place to play pranks, either, on board a ship."
"But I've read that when the ship crosses the equator the sailors cut up all kinds of high jinks."
"Yes, I suppose they do, but that is not very often. I have no doubt Captain Spark will permit fun on that occasion."