On deck the two found their fathers eagerly waiting for the ship to move out to sea. The men were becoming more restless with every passing minute.
Then at last the longed-for moment came. A cry of “All ashore!” A chugging of tugs. A mad scramble of visitors down the gangplank. Then, with a clanging of bells and a groaning of hawsers, the Zanzibar began to move away from the dock.
“We’re off!” exclaimed Joe Lewis, waving mechanically at the crowd of people who were there to see the steamer leave.
Slowly the vessel threaded her way through the heavy water traffic. It steamed out through the Patapsco River and then at last turned into Chesapeake Bay.
Bob and Joe remained on deck with their fathers for some time, noting everything worthwhile that was visible about them. Finally Bob turned to his friend.
“Suppose we go below,” he suggested. “I’d like to take a look at the ship.”
The boys spent the remainder of the day in exploring the Zanzibar and were greatly interested in everything they saw. But they knew at once that the ship had been in service for many years.
The ocean voyage was not novel to them, but, nevertheless, they enjoyed it immensely. The days passed pleasantly enough, the chums seeking amusement by swimming in the ship’s pool, playing various deck games, and reading in the library.
One morning they were leaning on the rail, watching the rolling of the waves, when a high-pitched voice roused them. Looking around, they saw a tall, very slim young man of perhaps twenty, with light wavy hair and an unusually light complexion. His features were very delicate, and his voice very much resembled that of a lady.
“I say there,” he greeted, extending a shapely white hand. “Really marvelous weather we’re having, don’t you think?”