"Well, boys, I have no more to say; only take care of yourselves."

With these words the doctor and Mr. Long bade them good by, and
then walked away.

The other boys, however, stood on the wharf waiting to see the
vessel off. They themselves were all going to start for home in a
few minutes, and were only waiting for the departure of the
Antelope.

This could not now be long delayed. The tide was high. The wind
fresh and fair. The luggage, and provisions, and stores were all
on board. Captain Corbet was at the helm. All was ready. At
length the word was given, the lines were cast off; and the
Antelope moved slowly round, and left the wharf amid the cheers of
the boys. Farther and farther it moved away, then down the
tortuous channel of Mud Creek, until at last the broad expanse of
Minas Basin received them.

For this voyage the preparations had been complete. It had first
been thought of several weeks before, and then the plan and the
details had been slowly elaborated. It was thought to be an
excellent idea, and one which was in every respect worthy of the
"B. O. W. C." Captain Corbet embraced the proposal with enthusiasm.
Letters home, requesting permission, received favorable answers.
Solomon at first resisted, but finally, on being solemnly appealed
to as Grand Panjandrum, he found himself unable to withstand, and
thus everything was gradually prepared. Other details were
satisfactorily arranged, though not without much serious and earnest