"Oh, well, I don't believe a bit of fun once in a while would do much harm in that way," returned the little fellow. "At any rate, I'm more than willing to try it."
"Well, suppose we try it with the understanding that if you get too fat you are to be reduced to your present suitable size by a low and spare diet?"
"No, indeed!" cried Ned. "I won't consent to that. Don't you know that boys need to eat plenty, if they are to grow up into big, strong men?"
"Enough, but not too much, Neddie," laughed his cousin, Dr. Percival, sitting near.
"Uncle Harold, you know all about it, for you're a good doctor," said Ned, appealing to Dr. Travilla; "oughtn't little boys to have plenty to eat?"
"Yes, Ned; plenty, but not too much."
"Well, that's just what I want," laughed Ned. "Oh, what was that?" as a cry, "Help! help, or I shall drown!" came from the water not far from the side of the vessel. Cousin Ronald and Max exchanged inquiring glances, and the latter rose hastily to his feet.
"Throw him a rope, my men!" he called to a group of sailors at the farther end of the vessel.
The words had hardly left his lips ere the order was obeyed, and the next moment the dripping figure of a young lad in a bathing suit was drawn up and landed upon the deck.
"Thanks, thanks, gentlemen," he panted; "you've helped me to a narrow escape from a watery grave. I ventured out too far—alone in the moonlight and——"