It wasn’t far from the lumber camp to the Rockaway River, and at a small dock was tied the gasoline motor boat, Pine Tree. This was a very good name, the Curlytops thought, for a boat owned by a lumberman.
“Say, she’s a dandy!” exclaimed Ted, as he went on board.
“I like this better than an auto,” said Janet. “There’s more room to move about.”
This was true. Though the Pine Tree was not an especially large motor boat, there was much more room on her than in even the largest touring car. There was a cabin in which they could eat, and at night the table folded up out of the way and bunks, like those in sleeping cars, could be let down. A sliding partition made the large cabin into two small ones. One could be used by Ted and his father, while the other would do for Mrs. Martin, Janet and William.
“Well, do you think you want to go cruising for a while instead of autoing?” asked the lumberman.
“Yes, indeed, thank you,” said Mrs. Martin. “I’m almost glad, now, that the wheel was broken. This is a lovely little boat.”
So it was arranged. The baggage from the Martin car was put aboard the Pine Tree, and the lockers and pantry were stocked with food. Things could be cooked on a gasoline stove in the little galley, or kitchen.
“Don’t forget the albums,” said Mrs. Martin to her husband, when the boat was being made ready. “We don’t want to leave them behind.”
“No, indeed,” he answered. “I have them here.”
He stowed away, on board the Pine Tree, the box of old albums which had been intrusted to him. They were still wrapped up as they had come by express from Mr. Portnay in New York. The movie actor, it was said by Mr. Birch, had been ill and would not resume work for a time. Then he expected to go West to complete the film, part of which the Curlytops had seen made.