And Tom, who, after all and in spite of his friends’ frequent jokes, was not enormously large, promptly charged Dan and bore him backward on to the berth which Nelson had drawn out. As thirty inches afforded insufficient space whereon to pummel each other, they promptly rolled off to the nice crimson carpet, and had to be parted by the others, much to the regret of Barry, who was enjoying the fracas hugely and taking a hand whenever opportunity offered. The disturbance over, the four sat themselves down and looked admiringly about them. There was a locker under each berth, numerous ingenious little shelves above, and several clothes hooks against the partition. At the extreme forward end of the stateroom there was a handsome mahogany chiffonier built in between the two forward berths. “Well, I call this pretty swell!” said Dan. “You bet!” said Tom. “I had no idea it was like this. I thought maybe we slept in hammocks. Say, Nel, your father is a trump to let us have her.” “That’s so,” Bob assented. “But, seems to me, he’s taking big risks. Supposing something happened to her?” “Well, don’t you talk that way at the house,” laughed Nelson. “I had trouble enough to get dad to consent. I had to tell him that you were a regular old salt.” “You shouldn’t lie to your father,” said Dan severely. “I didn’t. Bob has sailed a lot—haven’t you, Bob?” “I can sail a boat all right,” answered Bob, “but I don’t know one end of an engine from the other.” “You won’t have to,” Nelson assured him. “I’ll look after that and you can be navigating officer.” “Whatever that is,” murmured Dan parenthetically. “Who’s going to cook?” asked Tom. “You are,” said Bob. “Heaven help us all!” cried Dan. “Huh! I’ll bet I can cook better than you can,” Tom replied indignantly. “Get out! I’ll bet you can’t tell why is a fried egg!” “Oh, you dry up! What’s he going to do, fellows?” “Me?” said Dan. “I’m going to be lookout, and sit on the bow and yell ‘Sail ho!’ and ‘There she blows!’” “Let’s have an election,” suggested Bob. “I nominate Nel for Captain.” “Make it Admiral,” amended Dan. “All in favor of Nel for Captain will say——” “Aye!” cried Dan and Tom. “You’re elected, Nel.” Nelson bowed impressively, hand on heart, and Barry barked loudly. “Then Bob’s first mate,” said Nelson, “and you can be second, Dan. Tom’s going to be cook and purser.” “How about Barry?” asked Bob. “He’s the Sea Dog,” said Dan. “But look here, fellows; if we’re really going to get off to-morrow, we’d better be moving. What’s the programme for this afternoon, Nelson?” “Buy supplies and get them down here. We’ll get dad to tell us what we need. It’s almost twelve o’clock, and we’d better light out now.” “All right,” answered Dan, “but I hate to go. I’m afraid the boat may not be here when we get back. Don’t you think I’d better stay here and watch her?” They passed out into the engine room, and Bob stopped to look at the engine curiously. “Where’s the gasoline?” he asked.