The tramp steamer "Eagle" swung out from the pier and was fairly started
en her journey from New York to Liverpool.

On the deck of the steamer stood a group of five persons, three of whom
had given utterance to the exclamations recorded above.

On the pier swarmed a group of Yale students, waving hands, hats,
handkerchiefs, bidding farewell to their five friends and acquaintances
on the steamer. Over the water came the familiar Yale cheer. From the
steamer it was answered.

In the midst of the group on deck was Frank Merriwell. Those around him
were Bruce Browning, Jack Diamond, Harry Rattleton and Tutor Wellington
Maybe.

It was Frank's scheme to spend the summer months abroad, while studying
in the attempt to catch up with his class and pass examinations on
re-entering college in the fall. And he had brought along his three
friends, Browning, Diamond and Rattleton. They were on their way to
England.

Frank was happy. Fortune had dealt him a heavy blow when he was
compelled by poverty to leave dear old Yale, but he had faced the world
bravely, and he had struggled like a man. Hard work, long hours and poor
pay had not daunted him.

At the very start he had shown that he possessed something more than
ordinary ability, and while working on the railroad he had forced his
way upward step by step till it seemed that he was in a fair way to
reach the top of the ladder.