“Very well,” cried the boy eagerly. “Is there any little thing we can take with us?”
“No, my boy. As far as I am concerned, I think I can say everything is ready.”
It was not long before the doctor and his nephew were down at the landing-place and being rowed across the harbour to where a beautifully trim full-sized schooner lay moored to one of the great buoys; and on coming alongside they were hailed by Captain Chubb, whose face seemed to shine with animation as he helped his chief on board.
“Morning, sir!” he cried. “I was just wishing that you would come on board.”
“Bah!” exclaimed Uncle Paul. “What wants doing now?”
“Nothing. Not as I know of.”
“Oh, are you sure?” said Uncle Paul sarcastically, “Sartin, unless you have got some more bottles or cranky tackle to be stowed away, sir.”
“Oh, indeed,” said Uncle Paul shortly. “You don’t mean to say you have done at last?”
“Me, sir? Why, I was ready six months ago, only you had always got some new scheme you wanted fitted in.”
“Ah, well, never mind about that now,” cried Uncle Paul. “Then we may set sail any day?”