“Tommy’s laying the tablecloth,” he announced. “When grub’s ready, you fellows go down and I’ll take a turn at the wheel.”
“Get out!” said Dan. “I’m helmsman or steersman, or whatever you call it. You run along and eat; I’m not hungry yet.”
“How about it, Bob?” asked Nelson. Bob looked doubtful.
“I’m afraid he’ll run us against the rocks over there just for a joke.”
“Honest, I won’t,” exclaimed Dan earnestly. “If I see a rock coming, I’ll call you.”
“All right,” laughed Nelson. “See that you do.”
At that moment there came eight silvery chimes from the clock in the engine room.
“‘Sixteen bells on the Waterbury watch! Yo-ho, my lads, yo-ho!’” sang Dan. “Say, what time is that, anyhow?”
“Twelve,” answered Bob.
“Twelve! Well, that’s the craziest way of telling time I ever heard of! What’s it do when it gets to be one?”