"We'll do that, too, old Solomon the Second," returned Jack, who
was in the bow. "That's what we came out for. Shall I let go the
anchor, Rand?"

"All right, let it go," ordered Rand. "Easy now, if you don't want
to scare all the fish away. What are you trying to do?" as Jack gave
the anchor a swing and, failing to let go of the painter, promptly
went overboard with it.

"I just went down to see if the anchor got to the bottom," explained
Jack a moment later, as he scrambled over the side.

"We thought you were going to dive for the fish," said Pepper,
"like the hawks do."

"Maybe I will try that later," replied Jack, shaking himself like
a dog to get rid of some of the water. "Now, then, who is going to
get the first bite."

For the next few moments the boys were busy getting their tackle
in order and into the water, after which they settled down to await
results.

"I had almost forgotten," broke in Jack after a pause, as the fish
did not seem eager to be caught. "I met Colonel Snow this morning--"

"Indeed," said Rand sarcastically, "that's news."

"Now you needn't go off at half-cock," retorted Jack, "wait until