“Get him. That will make just the right sort of a crew. I’ll get a lunch, and we’ll meet at the New Haven Yacht Clubhouse. The _Jolly Sport_ is moored off the clubhouse. We’ll all get down there as soon as possible. I know Browning and Diamond will go when they know you are coming along, Frank. You go for Hodge, and I’ll look after the others.” In this way it was settled. Frank started to get Bart Hodge, another old chum, who roomed at a distance. Hodge had passed examinations successfully, and was a Yale student at last. Rattleton made for Browning, who still leaned in solemn stateliness against the fence. Rattleton and Diamond were on the _Jolly Sport_, getting her in trim, when Frank and Bart appeared. “Where’s Browning?” shouted Frank. “Coming,” Harry called back. “So’s Christmas, but it’ll be a long time getting here. If you really expect that fellow to sail with us this afternoon, you should have brought him along.” “We can’t waste the afternoon waiting for him,” said Jack, impatiently. Frank and Bart got on board the boat, and then Bruce appeared, perspiring and staggering under a heavy load, for he carried a huge basket in either hand. “Dat the whickens--I mean, what the dickens has he there?” cried Harry. “Oh, I know, the lunch!” “That’s it!” exclaimed Frank. “We were smart not to think of that. But he has brought enough to provision the _Jolly Sport_ for a week’s cruise.” “Hurry up, Browning!” shouted Jack, testily. “We’ve waited long enough for you.” “Oh, fall overboard and cool off!” flung back the big fellow, who seemed a bit out of sorts himself from the exertion. “You’re always in a hurry.” “What have you there, anyway?” asked Frank, as Bruce came on board. “Beer.” “Beer?” shouted all the lads. “Sandwiches.” “Then it’s not all beer?” “Most of it is.” “That’s all right,” said Diamond, beginning to look satisfied. “We’ll take care of it.” “Oh, I don’t know!” grunted Browning. “I brought it along for myself. Supposed you chaps would bring your own beer and provisions.” “You don’t mean to say you brought all that stuff in those two great baskets for yourself and no one else?” “Why not?” “How long do you think this cruise will last?” “Can’t tell about that.” “You’ll divvy, or we’ll put you in irons and cast you into the hold!” declared Rattleton. “I’m owner and captain of this vessel, and what I say goes. See?” To this Bruce simply grunted. The baskets were stowed as snugly as possible, and then Rattleton began to give orders. “Haul away!” he cried. “Haul away on the throat halyards! Up with the peak! That’s right. Slack off the sheet a bit, Diamond. Lay her a bit more to port! Steady, so!” The tide was running out, and the wind was light, but the _Jolly Sport_ seemed eager to get out into the sound, and was soon running down past an anchored fishing vessel at good speed. “Well, this is great!” muttered Hodge, as he lay back comfortably, lighting a cigar.