five boys were thoroughly delighted, and he was almost sorry to give the order to turn back.

"I am not able to spare any more time from business," he said. "You may come out again to-morrow."

"And when shall we start on our trip, father?" asked Bob, anxiously, while the rest of the Ramblers listened in expectant silence.

"Well, let me see—to-day is Tuesday; I think that the first of next week would be soon enough. By that time, you should be so well acquainted with the boat that I need have no fears regarding your safety."

Notwithstanding the impatience of his hearers, they could only accede to this reasonable demand with good grace.

Landing at the little wharf was not accomplished as easily as Bob hoped, but Sam Randall stood by with the fenders, while Tom and Dick secured the lines.

Even when Mr. Somers took his departure, the Ramblers could not tear themselves away from the boat.

"And just think, we were going in the 'Lively,'" observed Dick Travers, in a tone of deep disgust.

"Don't you dare to slander that grand old hulk," laughed Dave. "I've written two poems about her already."

"When we are on this trip, you'll have to write poems, and read them, too," exclaimed Sam, "otherwise you shall be deposed from position of poet laureate and made to cook."

"In that event, the journey would come to a disastrous end," returned Dave, smilingly; "doctors are few and far between in the region where we are going."

Meanwhile, as they enjoyed themselves in conversation and planning, the time slipped rapidly away. It was now fast approaching one o'clock, so they took a final glance at the "Rambler," and began their journey homeward.

None of the five caught a sight of Nat Wingate that day. But it fell to the lot of Dave Brandon to encounter him early on the following morning. While on his way to meet the other members of the club, he found Nat reclining on the big boulder, which had become a sort of favorite haunt with him. He was engaged in earnest conversation with a chum named John Hackett.

To Dave Brandon's intense surprise, Nat greeted him without any show of ill feeling.

"Oh ho, Davy!" he exclaimed, with a peculiar 

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