"Oh, that's no way to do business," exclaimed William Johnson, who always liked to see things go off in order. "Let all those who have boats hold up their hands."
Sixteen hands came up, and Frank said,
"We shall be gone all day, and, of course, we want plenty of provisions."
"Of course."
"Well, then, what I thought of proposing is this: Let us take three or four of the swiftest sailing-boats, and give the provisions into their charge, and call them smugglers, and let the other boats play the part of revenue-cutters, or a blockading squadron, and let the smugglers try to land the provisions on Strawberry Island, without being caught."
"That's capital!" shouted several.
"It's better than shooting game, at this time of year," said one.
"Yes, and being scolded all day by that tyrant," observed another, who had belonged to the Regulators.
"It will take some time to make all our arrangements," said William, "and I move that we adjourn to our house, where we can hold our meeting in order."
This was readily assented to, and William led the way, followed by all the boys, who were highly delighted at Frank's plan of spending the Fourth.