Before either of the newcomers could rise to his feet they were rolled together in the middle of the floor. Ab lifted the mattress from the bed, plumping it down over the two victims. Then all four of the gleeful assailants threw themselves across the mattress, shoving it over the floor, using Tom and Joe, underneath, for rollers.
And, over it all, rose the famous club yell:
"M. B. C. K.! M. B. C. K.! Motor Boat Club! Wow!"
"Oh, but we're glad to see 'em!" yelled Dick Davis, in his deepest tones. "Good old chums! Keep up the welcome, fellows!"
From under the mattress Tom Halstead managed to make himself heard, though his voice sounded muffled indeed.
"Help!" he roared. "Turn out the port watch! Mutiny!"
"Port watch, ahoy! Roll up on deck, you lubbers!" roared Ab Perkins. "Cap'n wants you!"
At that Jed and Jeff left the mattress, darting to where Tom's and Joe's traveling bags lay. These they quickly opened, dumping all the contents on the floor.
"All hands to quell mutiny!" yelled Jed Prentiss. Dick Davis and Ab Perkins joined them on the jump.
That gave Tom and Joe, both very red-faced and much winded, a chance to crawl out from under the mattress.