"I was going to get some crackers and sardines," confessed Whistler. "I had no idea we could get this boat when I left the house. But I can run up and get Alice to put us up a snack."
Frenchy was carrying Ikey's basket very carefully—indeed, lovingly. He allowed his mate to catch the line and draw the Sue Bridger in to the float alone.
They stepped aboard, and Al made a grab for the basket handle with his greasy hands. "Let's see the pups," he demanded suspiciously.
"Have a care! Have a care!" cried Whistler as the two struggled for possession of the basket. "What is in it, Ikey?"
"Oi, oi! Oi, oi!" moaned Ikey. "They will the basket haf overboard yet! Stop it! Stop it!"
It was Whistler who rescued the lunch basket with a firm hand. In the struggle Frenchy came near going overboard, but he fell into the bilge in the bottom of the boat instead.
"Wow!" he yelled. "Me clean pants! This old tub is leaking like a sieve, Whistler!"
Whistler and Al were peeping into the basket. Their delight was acclaimed at once.
"Good boy, Ikey!" declared Torry, smacking his lips. "You must have robbed the whole delicatessen shop."
"You don't know my papa," declared Ikey with pride. "He would like to feed the whole American Navy—that's the way he feels about it."