“Surprised to hear it,” said Joe, cheerfully.
“If I didn’t want to show my knowledge, I wouldn’t tell you, after that,” laughed Jack. “This green light goes on the starboard side, red on the port, and white placed forward.”
“Looks fine,” commented Tom Clifton when the lanterns were in position. “Makes me feel like a real mariner.”
When the lantern which hung from the middle of the ceiling had been lighted, the interior of the house-boat seemed doubly attractive.
Jack proved himself to be a good chef; and the others praised his cooking with an earnestness that amounted to enthusiasm.
After supper, it was voted too late to go ashore; but Bob Somers’ suggestion that the voyage be continued was acted upon, in spite of a protest from Fred.
“Oh, sugar!” he said. “Why not let’s read? I brought some dandy books along; but who in the dickens could enjoy ’em with that engine making such a thundering racket?”
“Oh, bother your old books,” said Joe. “I’ve got something better than that.”
“What?”
“I’m going to write a history of the trip.”