"Yes," said his father, with a smile, "and of course you remember the notable victory vouchsafed us by Providence five days later on Lake Erie?"
"Perry's victory, sir? Yes, indeed! Also Macdonough's on Lake Champlain, which was given him on the 11th of the next September, 1814."
But they were now entering the bay, and historical reminiscence gave place to talk of the beauty of the scenery, Captain Raymond, who had been there before, pointing out and naming the different islands and villages. They did not land, but steamed slowly about the bay, finding so much to interest them that they lingered there until nightfall. They then steamed out into the ocean, taking a westward course. It was a beautiful moonlight evening, and all gathering together on deck, passed the time in cheerful chat concerning the scenes just visited and those they expected to visit in the near future. At length there was a pause in the conversation, presently broken by little Ned.
"Oh, dear!" he sighed, "I'm just hungry for a little fun. I don't see what's the use of having ventriloquists along, if they don't make some fun for us once in a while."
"Now, Master Ned, do you call that a polite speech?" asked a strange voice that seemed to come from a short distance in his rear.
Ned sprang to his feet and turned toward it.
"I—I didn't mean to be rude, Cousin Ronald or Brother Max, whichever you are; but I am ever so hungry for a bit of fun."
"And you consider that a healthful appetite, do you?" queried the voice.
"Yes, sir; for 'Laugh and grow fat' is an old saying, so I've heard."
"Well, well, well! I have understood that you rather objected to being considered fat," laughed the invisible speaker.