Chet was busy stowing away the last of the provisions and Biff was tuning up the engine when the Hardy boys arrived. In a few minutes Tony Prito, at the helm of his own motorboat, arrived on the scene with Jerry Gilroy and Phil Cohen. Then, down the dock, came tripping Iola Morton and Callie Shaw.
"Hail, hail, the gang's all here!" roared Chet, when he saw them.
"Oy, what a fine day you pick for your trip!" exclaimed Phil Cohen, looking up at the clouds. For the sky was overcast and there was no sun.
"That's all right," answered Chet. "We made up our minds to start to-day and we'd start if there was a thunderstorm on."
"Brave sailors!" mocked Callie Shaw, with a smile.
"How long will you be away?" shouted Frank.
"Until the grub runs out."
"That should be about next December," ventured Iola. "It looks to me as if you have enough provisions there to last you a year."
"Not with Chet Morton on the trip, we haven't," grunted Biff Hooper, looking up from the engine. "We'll be lucky if it lasts us a week. I've seen him eat before."
"I'll do my share," Chet promised modestly.