“To-morrow,” sighed Joe, “is an awful long way off.”
CHAPTER III
“ALL ABOARD!”
Time did, indeed, seem to move with exasperating slowness. None of the impatient boys slept very well that night, and each arose next morning almost with the sun.
At an early hour, a group had assembled on the ordinarily deserted wharf. There were, of course, all the boys, Mr. John Lyons, Sr., Mr. George Somers, Bob’s father, little Bobby Lyons, Jack’s brother, and Mr. Montague Winter, besides other near and distant relatives.
Mr. Lyons, jolly and smiling, examined every corner of the boat, gave bits of useful advice, and sought to allay the fears of Mr. Winter.
“I don’t consider it a very safe trip,” exclaimed the latter, nervously. “There is danger of their being run down by the big boats.”
“But, my dear sir, they have eyes to look out for such dangers.”
“Then, again, the Hudson is no mill-pond, and in case of storms——”
“Depend upon it, the boys will be safely anchored near shore,” laughed Mr. Lyons. “Jack has promised me to be careful.”