“I don’t know how we’d have got along without those things, Chub,” said Roy, very, very earnestly. “How we could have expected to go on a cruise without a foot-ball and a hair pillow and a collapsible bucket--” “And a pair of old trousers and a thermometer,” added Dick. “I don’t see. Do you Dick?” Dick shook his head gravely. “We must have been crazy,” he said, sadly. “Oh, you say what you like!” responded Chub. “You’ll find that all these things will come in mighty handy before we get back.” “Of course,” said Roy, “even if we have to load them in another boat and tow it along behind.” “Oh, get out; there’s plenty of room for this truck. You fellows are just jealous because you didn’t think of them.” “I quite approve of the ice-cream freezer,” remarked Mr. Porter, “but I don’t just see how you’re going to work it without the dasher.” “_What!_” exclaimed Chub. “Didn’t I put that in?” “Well, I don’t see it anywhere; do you?” Then followed a wild search for the dasher. At last Chub gave it up and looked a trifle foolish. “I remember now,” he muttered. “I took it out of the can so that it wouldn’t rattle around. I--I must have forgotten to pack it.” He joined good-naturedly in the laugh that arose. “Anyhow,” he said presently, “I dare say we can get along without ice-cream. It’s a bother to have to freeze it. And maybe we can use the tub as a bucket and keep something in the can; we could keep our milk in it.” “I imagine that most of the milk we’ll have will come in cans,” said Roy. “You don’t expect fresh milk, do you?” “I surely do. We can buy it at the farm-houses.” “Condensed milk is cheaper, though,” said Dick, “because you don’t have to use much sugar with it.” “Listen to Dickums!” jeered Chub. “He’s getting economical!” It was finally decided to leave the ice-cream freezer behind, and the bag of salt was donated to Mrs. Porter “as a slight testimonial of esteem from the master and crew of the _Jolly Roger_.” Then the boys went up to Roy’s room and sat there very late, planning and discussing. The next morning found them at the wharf bright and early, even Chub disdaining for once what he called his “beauty sleep.” The wharf belonged to a company in which Mr. Porter was interested and accommodations for the _Jolly Roger_ had been gladly accorded. She lay in the slip looking very clean and neat. The new coat of paint had worked wonders in her appearance. Each of the boys had brought a suit case filled with things, and Chub carried besides the two camp-stools and a large crimson pillow. And while they are aboard unloading let us look over the house-boat. [Illustration: The boys arrive at the wharf]