But Mr. Wingate, and, indeed, almost everything else was lost sight of in the whirl of preparation for departure.
The "Rambler" had yet to be stored with the necessities for the voyage, and lists were gone over very carefully to see that nothing was omitted. As it was their desire to camp out on shore whenever practicable, two tents were included in the outfit.
When lockers and all available spaces were stored to their utmost capacity, Dick Travers and Tom Clifton proposed that they should sleep on board the "Rambler."
"It won't do to take any risks," they argued, and to this all agreed.
Though time seemed to move so slowly for the eager boys, Monday morning at length arrived. The sun had scarcely risen over the eastern hills, sweeping away the mists in the valleys, and awakening with its cheerful beams the life of the woods and fields, when five Kingswood boys, from whose faces all signs of sleepiness had been chased away by eager anticipation, were swallowing breakfasts as hastily as possible in their respective homes.
Good-byes were said; then, like the boys of '76, they "shouldered their guns and marched away."
[CHAPTER V]
THE NIMRODS
When "Captain Bob" appeared at the wharf, he was greeted by Tom Clifton and Dick Travers. Sam Randall soon after came hastening along, and last of all, as everybody expected, the stout form of the "Oh ho" boy was seen moving across the clearing. Bob slipped away his watch, which was only one minute and twenty seconds beyond the appointed time, and Dave Brandon, having made one of his best records for promptness, strode up with a beaming face.