"It's a long voyage," observed Mrs Gilmour, who, although she had forsworn her resolve anent excursion steamers in her desire not to interpose any selfish obstacle, such as her own wishes, to the enjoyment of the others during their holiday by the sea in proper seafaring fashion, yet could not forget the _Bembridge Belle_ catastrophe. "Are you sure the vessel is safe?" "Oh yes," answered the Captain. "She's one of the regular boats, and is as safe as a man-of-war." "Then we may consider the expedition arranged," said Mrs Strong, who, being anxious to see the city of the great Saint Bevis, had no objection to the trip up Southampton Water; for, having been already across the Solent, and even voyaged round the Isle of Wight, so to speak, without feeling sea-sick or qualmish, she was confident of being a `born sailor,' as the saying goes, and thus only too pleased to have an opportunity of testing her new experiences further. "If you say it is safe, Captain Dresser, neither Polly nor any of us need be alarmed, I am sure." The next morning, as the steamer was advertised to start punctually at the hour fixed, Bob was warned of his not having much time to spare when setting out for his bathe before breakfast with the good dog Rover. "Oh, I'll be back in plenty of time," was his boastful reply. "I'll take some bread-and-butter with me for breakfast, and get a cup of milk from the apple-woman on the beach; and shall be at the pier waiting for you before you leave the house." "Take care, my boy; we're rather late this morning, and you are running it pretty close," said his father, looking at his watch, as the young gentleman was scampering through the hall. "You won't have half-an-hour altogether to spare." But, Bob was obstinate, and away he went across the common, with Rover at his heels. "I know he will be late," sighed Mrs Strong, looking after him. "I know he will be late." "Well, if he is, he will be left behind, that's all I can say," said his father, with decision. "I'm afraid Master Bob has too much of his own way; and, it is just as well he should be taught a lesson sometimes." Thus giving his fiat, Mr Strong, apparently dismissing Bob for the present from his mind, hurried the preparations of the others, so that they, at least, should be in good time; and, some twenty minutes after the truant had left, he and Mrs Strong and his sister, with Nellie, started for the pier, arriving there just as the Captain came up in a great hurry, stepping along as briskly as he and his malacca cane could get over the ground. "Where's Bob?" he at once asked, missing the absentee. "Where's Bob?" "He's gone to bathe," replied poor Nell, very disconsolately. "He said he'd get here as soon as we did, but he hasn't come yet, and I'm afraid he'll be too late."