"I'se gwine to do ma level best fo' yo' an' fo' de ladies," said the colored man. "Yo' is gwine to hab reg'lar Waldorf-Astoria feed." "Don't feed us too good, Aleck, or we'll all die of dyspepsia," said Sam. "I'll take care of dat, Massah Sam. Don't yo' remember how I used to cook when we was out in de wilderness ob Africa?" "Indeed I do, Aleck. Yes, I know you'll take care of us," answered Sam. On the day before the start the boys were surprised to see Hans Mueller appear, with a big trunk and a dress-suit case. The German boy came over from Oak Run in a grocery wagon, having been unable to find a cab. "How you all vos?" said he, shaking hands. "I dink first I go py dot Pittsburg und den I dinks me I got lost maybe--so I come here." "That's right, Hans," said Dick. "But what made you bring such a big trunk?" "Shsh!" answered Hans, putting a finger to the side of his nose. "Dot is a secrets alretty!" "A secret?" "Dot's him. You vos going to haf der ladies along, hey?" "Yes, they are all going." "I got me dree dress suits py mine drunk in." "Three dress suits!" roared Dick. "Oh, Hans!" "Ain't dot enough?" questioned the German cadet, dubiously. "Three dress suits!" repeated Dick. "Oh, somebody hold me, or I'll have a fit!" And he nearly doubled up with laughter. "What's the funeral about?" came from Tom, who was standing near. "Hans is to become a real ladies' man, Tom." "I don't solve the riddle." "He has got three dress suits in his trunk." "Phew! He'll leave us in the shade entirely. Say, Hans, have you got any patent leathers?" "Yah, I got two pairs of batent-leather shoes." "Hope you brought your pumps," put in Sam, who had come up. "Bumps?" queried Hans, with a puzzled look. "Vy I pring me a bump? Does der poat leak?" "Well, that's the limit!" roared Dick. "Sam means your dancing pumps?" said Fred. "You mustn't forget them, you know--not if you want to be a really and truly society man." "I got a pair of slippers for dot," answered Hans. "How many dress suits you vos dake along, hey?" "Oh, about seven," answered Tom, carelessly. "You ton't tole me dot, Tom! Maybe I haf to puy some more, hey?" "Well, I shouldn't--not just yet," answered Dick. "Wait till the new fall styles come out. What you want for a starter is some everyday clothes, a sweater or two, and a pair of rubber boots, in case we have to walk ashore in the mud some time." "Veil, I got dem too," answered Hans. A letter had already been sent to Captain Starr, asking him to have the houseboat brought up to Pittsburg. The captain was also told to have the _Dora_ thoroughly cleaned and put in proper trim for he outing. "We want the ladies to be satisfied with her appearance," said Dick. "And especially since she is named the _Dora_," grinned Tom. "Oh, you're only piqued because she isn't named the Nellie," retorted his older brother, with a laugh. "Never mind, Dick; some day you can use the houseboat on a honeymoon," answered Tom, and then ran off.