The cabin was plainly but very comfortably furnished, and a large book case on one side was filled with books of travel, history and fiction.
"Thought probably we'd want to do some reading," he explained as he saw Bob's eyes fixed on the books. "This is your cabin," he said a few minutes later, after he had taken them below and showed them the engine, which Jack declared was a peach. As he spoke he pushed open a door leading from the main deck and pushed them in. It also was plainly furnished, but they saw at a glance that it contained everything necessary to their comfort. "My cabin is next door," he told them, after they had looked the room over and had voiced their approval.
"Gee, but I wish we were going to start right this minute," Jack declared.
"Well, it won't be long now," Mr. Lakewood smiled. "If Ole's ready, I think we can pull out sometime tomorrow afternoon. There he is now," he added, as a deep voice boomed out. "Come out, and I'll introduce you to the captain."
Captain Ole Olsen was a Swede and, as Jack laughed later "a mighty big one," standing well over six feet and well proportioned. Somewhat to their surprise, he spoke with practically no accent, although, as Jack declared as soon as he was out of hearing, his voice seemed to come from his boots. As soon as the introductions were over, Mr. Lakewood asked him if he could be ready to sail on the following afternoon.
"Sure thing," Captain Ole assured him. "The mates are on board and the rest of the crew will be on hand not later than tomorrow at nine o'clock."
"Good. Then we'll be off as soon as we can get here after dinner. You see," he smiled, "these boys are in a hurry and——"
"And I don't blame 'em a bit," the captain smiled.
"How many'll there be in the crew?" Bob asked as soon as they had been set ashore.
"Eight or ten besides the officers," his uncle told him. "By the way," he added. "How did you like those three?"