Nat, dressed with his usual care, approached jauntily across the clearing, and nodded to the boys. Then turning, he said: "Hello, 'Major,' how do you find yourself?"
"None the better for looking at you," growled Zeke, a strange light coming into his eyes.
But it is doubtful if Nat heard his remark, for he stopped short and gave a whistle of astonishment, as he took in the graceful lines of the motor boat.
"Gracious, what a beauty!" he exclaimed. "Where did it come from?"
As there was no immediate response, he continued: "Who in the world does it belong to? The 'Rambler,' why, it can't be that—"
"Yes, it's the boat that is going to carry the Rambler Club on its famous voyage," said Bob Somers, smilingly.
"But I thought you were going in the 'Lively,'" said Nat.
"So did we," returned Bob. And then he briefly explained how their good fortune had come about.
"Well, I must say that you are the luckiest fellows I ever heard of," declared Wingate, with a long breath. "It's a beautiful little craft." Then he added, glancing quickly toward Bob: "Are you really going to visit your father's land?"
"We certainly are," replied Somers.