“Don’t you worry about that, my boy,” he said. “I have no particular use for Benton Hammerswell. Still, as two of the managers in the league have called for this meeting, one must be held. They demand it at once, saying they will be here within an hour and ready to transact business. Mr. Garrett can stop off and attend the meeting, while the rest of you may return to the island.” “If I stop,” said Ray, “I want you to remain with me, Dick. I may need your advice. We’ll not go back to Fairhaven on the _Lady May_ to-night, for, according to our agreement with the captain, that boat leaves here as soon as possible after the game.” “Wait a minute,” said Merriwell. “Perhaps Captain Jennings might be induced to wait a while if we pay him. There’ll be a moon to-night, and there are no signs of fog.” “The excursionists might object.” “Let’s go down to the boat and talk it over.” As they started off, Blackington called to them: “Under any circumstances one of you must stay if you wish to have a finger in the alteration of the schedule.” When the _Lady May_ was reached Garrett gathered the excursionists and told them it was necessary for Dick and himself to remain in Rockford two hours at least. “If you people say so,” said Ray, “the _Lady May_ will swing off at once with you; but if you’re in no haste we’ll see if the captain can be induced to wait for us.” “Oh, say!” cried Brick McLane, “we want to take everybody back with us. There’ll be a warm time on the island when we git there.” “That’s right! that’s right!” cried several of the others. “If the captain will wait we’ll wait.” There was not a dissenting voice, and therefore Ray and Dick talked with Captain Jennings at once. He agreed to wait until nine o’clock if they desired, in case he received ten dollars extra for the delay. This amount was promised him and the excursionists were notified. “I’m glad of that,” said Hodge. “It will give me a chance to change my clothes and cross to the island with you. I had my luggage forwarded to the Corndike, and it’s there now, I suppose.” The baggage belonging to the ball players had been sent from the hotel to the steamer, and the boys were now given an opportunity to change their clothes in the cabin. As they were making this change it was discovered that Buckhart was not with them. Immediately Dick became alarmed. “Where is that fellow?” he exclaimed. “Has any one seen him?” Some remembered Brad had marched down the street with them, but still he could not be found on the steamer. “First thing,” said Dick, as he hurriedly finished dressing, “is to look him up. What the dickens can be the matter with him?”