"Dandies on the brine!" chuckled Ben Ludlow.
"Fresh-water brine," added Dory.
"They are pulling towards Sandy Beach," said Corny Minkfield.
All these sarcastic remarks were called forth by the appearance ahead of two barges, similar to those belonging to the Beech Hill school. They were very gaily painted, and, whatever their merits for speed and ability, they were quite as handsome as the Gildrock and Winooski.
"Twig the uniform!" exclaimed Ned Bellows.
"But that's only a boat uniform," replied Life Windham, who was one of the incipient rebels. "None of our fellows object to the uniform they wear on board of the Sylph."
The uniform of the Chesterfields—for there was no doubt as to the identity of the occupants of the barges—was blue flannel, trimmed with white. It was very fanciful, and rather a sensational costume.
"I suppose every one of them wears an eyeglass, and has a cane under his thwart," laughed Phil Gawner.
"And every one parts his hair in the middle, so as to keep the boats on an even keel," added Lick Milton.