Father Blossom came back from putting up the car and took charge of the suitcases. Each of the four little Blossoms carried his own coat. Presently they heard the chug-chug-chug of a motor-boat.
"All aboard!" called a bluff, hearty voice, and a green and white boat shot up beside the wharf on which the Blossoms stood.
"These passengers are for Apple Tree Island," said Mr. Harley.
"Know whether their baggage's come yet?"
"Poled three trunks and six small boxes over on the raft yesterday afternoon," announced the motor-boat captain, who was also the crew. "Billed for the Winthrop bungalow—that right?"
"Right!" Father Blossom cheerfully assured him. "Now if you have room for us all, Captain—"
"Jenks, very much at your service," said the captain, with a flourish. "I suppose you'd like to go right over?"
"We should, if you can take us," said Mother Blossom. "The children are hungry and it must be after noon."
Captain Jenks assured her that he could take them to Apple Tree Island without stopping at any other port, and as soon as they were comfortably on board he started his engine.
"Chug-chug-chug!" coughed the little motorboat.
It wasn't so little, of course, when it could carry seven passengers. Indeed it had a neat little forward deck and a tiny cabin upholstered in red leather that would be very cozy in bad weather. Captain Jenks thought his boat was a beauty. Bobby thought so, too.