“But the tide is against you, Fred,” objected his mother.
“That won’t matter so much as there is a nice stiff breeze from the northwest and the boys have agreed to be good.”
“Well, all right, then,” complied his mother.
By ten-thirty the boys had started and the others were all ready and waiting impatiently for the first peep at the Zeus which was to take them to Spruce Island.
“What a boatful! And still more to come,” laughed Billy, as he watched Captain Benton carefully manipulate the Zeus to bring it alongside the float.
“Why, where’s Aunt Miriam and Uncle Bill?” cried Edith, missing them from the group in the Zeus.
“The ice-cream was not quite finished and so Papa sent to ask the Captain to stop again for them on the way down,” explained Miriam.
Captain Ed had just started the power-dory that was to carry the commissary and Mose to Spruce Island, when Billy, watching, gave vent to a loud sigh.
“What’s troublin’ you, sonny?” asked the Captain.
“Ah gee! I wish I had a launch and you know as well as I where there’s a peach I could get at a bargain!”