cloaks, bedding, and baskets of provisions. The deck was strewn
about with the multifarious requisites of a ship's company. The
Antelope, at that time, seemed in part an emigrant vessel, with a
dash of the yacht and the coasting schooner.

In the midst of all this, two gentlemen worked their way through
the crowd to the edge of the wharf.

"Well, boys," said one, "well, captain, what's the meaning of all
this?"

Captain Corbet started at this, and looked up from a desperate
effort to secure the end of one of the sails.

"Why, Dr. Porter!" said he; "why, doctor!--how d'ye do?--and Mr.
Long, too!--why, railly!"

The boys also stopped their work, and looked towards their teachers
with a little uneasiness.

"What's all this?" said Dr. Porter, looking around with a smile;
"are you getting up another expedition?"

"Wal, no," said Captain Corbet, "not 'xactly; fact is, we're kine
o' goin to take a vyge deoun the bay."

"Down the bay?"

"Yes. You see the boys kine o' want to go home by water, rayther
than by land."