well as their extra supplies that went under the general designation of
"duffel."

"Nothing else for us to do but go aboard, and make a bully start, is
there, Thad?" asked the impatient Giraffe, eager to find out how the
craft could go; for up to now the Silver Fox Patrol had generally spent
their outings on dry land; and this idea of a cruise had come somewhat
in the shape of what Thad called an "innovation."

"Nothing at all, Giraffe," replied the other, himself looking pleased at
the prospect of being about to start on such a splendid pleasure trip.

"How about paying for the use of the boat; has all that been attended
to?" asked careful Bumpus, who was not so very much of a water-dog
himself, and rather viewed the prospect of getting out of sight of land
on board so small a craft with anything but exultant delight; indeed, to
tell the honest truth, the fat scout was already secretly sorry he had
come.

"Oh! yes," replied Thad, quickly; "Dr. Hobbs attended to all that for
us; fact is, this boat is owned by a friend of his, which was how we got
it as cheap as we did. And more than that, the gentleman attended to
packing all our supplies at the Soo, and sent the boat here on a
steamer, so we could start from this place. It was Dr. Philander's
idea, you know, this coming through the copper region along the south
shore of the Eke. And now, if you're all of the same mind, let's get
started."

"Hurrah; hoist the Pennant of the Silver Fox Patrol that your Sister
Polly made us, Giraffe, and every fellow dip his hat to the colors of