Bowler's proposition was hailed with acclamation. His hearers were just in the humour to put their enthusiasm to the test, and the notion of a picnic on the Long Stork as a sort of full-dress rehearsal of the capture of New Swishford suited them exactly. They proceeded immediately to discuss ways and means, and found that by putting their pocket-moneys together they could raise the very respectable sum of forty-one shillings. Reserving the odd shilling for the possible contingency of having to "square" a coastguard for the use of the boat, they had two pounds to devote to the purchase of stores, weapons, and other necessaries; and, as Gayford pointed out, of course anything they got that wasn't eatable would come in for New Swishford. A sub-committee, consisting of Bowler, Braintree and Wester, was appointed to expend the funds of the adventurers to the best advantage, and meanwhile each member was asked to report what else he could contribute in the way of stores to the general need. Before the end of the week the list was handed in, and as the documents might some day be of immense value to the future historian of New Swishford, I quote them here. _Bowler_.--A waterproof, a hat-box, a pair of cricket bails, and a fold- up chair. _Gayford_.--The chart, a compass, jam-pots for baling out boats, an eight-blade knife, a hammer and tacks, and a chessboard. _Braintree_.--The wifle (pwaps), _Wobinson Cwusoe_, gloves, and umbwellah. _Tubbs_.--A crib to Sallust (sorry that's all I've got). _Crashford_.--Clay pipe, pack of cards, a corkscrew, a strap, and _Hal Hiccup the Boy Demon_. _Wester_.--Three tumblers, bottle of ginger-beer, and a bat. _Wallas_.--A saucepan and two eggs, a rope, and Young's _Night Thoughts_. At the same time the sub-committee reported the purchase of the following stores:-- Fourteen tins of potted shrimps, 14 shillings; Ditto ditto peaches, 14 shillings; Ditto bottles of lemonade, 3 shillings 6 pence; (1 penny each allowed on returned bottles.) Four of Stodge's spice-cakes, 4 shillings; A fishing-rod, 2 shillings 6 pence; Flies for ditto, 1 shilling; One kettle, 6 pence; One crumb-brush, 6 pence; Total, 2 pounds. This admirable selection of stores met with universal approval. Indeed, as regards the first four items, every one so highly approved that they wanted to take every man his share for safe custody to his own study. It was, however, thought undesirable to put them to this trouble, and the sub-committee were directed to continue in charge of these and the other voluntary contributions until the eventful day.