"The British force under Sherwood and Griffiths, after their raid up the Penobscot, went back to Machias. They landed at Buck's Harbor, three miles below the town, and marched against the fort, which the garrison deserted and blew up." "Are we going to Machias now, papa?" asked Ned. "No," said his father, "we are nearing Passamaquoddy Bay now. We will spend a little time there, then turn and go back to the Penobscot, to visit historical scenes along its course. You perhaps remember that the British went there shortly after having taken Eastport and Fort Sullivan on Moose Island in Passamaquoddy Bay. They were taken on the 11th of July, 1812; Castine on September 1 of the same year." "And about a year after came the fight between the _Enterprise_ and the _Boxer_, which occurred September 5, 1813," observed Max. "Yes," said his father, with a smile, "and of course you remember the notable victory vouchsafed us by Providence five days later on Lake Erie?" "Perry's victory, sir? Yes, indeed! Also Macdonough's on Lake Champlain, which was given him on the 11th of the next September, 1814." But they were now entering the bay, and historical reminiscence gave place to talk of the beauty of the scenery, Captain Raymond, who had been there before, pointing out and naming the different islands and villages. They did not land, but steamed slowly about the bay, finding so much to interest them that they lingered there until nightfall. They then steamed out into the ocean, taking a westward course. It was a beautiful moonlight evening, and all gathering together on deck, passed the time in cheerful chat concerning the scenes just visited and those they expected to visit in the near future. At length there was a pause in the conversation, presently broken by little Ned. "Oh, dear!" he sighed, "I'm just hungry for a little fun. I don't see what's the use of having ventriloquists along, if they don't make some fun for us once in a while." "Now, Master Ned, do you call that a polite speech?" asked a strange voice that seemed to come from a short distance in his rear. Ned sprang to his feet and turned toward it. "I--I didn't mean to be rude, Cousin Ronald or Brother Max, whichever you are; but I am ever so hungry for a bit of fun." "And you consider that a healthful appetite, do you?" queried the voice. "Yes, sir; for 'Laugh and grow fat' is an old saying, so I've heard." "Well, well, well! I have understood that you rather objected to being considered fat," laughed the invisible speaker. "Oh, well, I don't believe a bit of fun once in a while would do much harm in that way," returned the little fellow. "At any rate, I'm more than willing to try it." "Well, suppose we try it with the understanding that if you get too fat you are to be reduced to your present suitable size by a low and spare diet?" "No, indeed!" cried Ned. "I won't consent to that. Don't you know that boys need to eat plenty, if they are to grow up into big, strong men?"