the gay Chippeway Belle!" and in answer to this request on the part of
Davy Jones they did salute the raising of the neat little burgee that
had a silver fox fashioned in silken hand-work upon it.

Thad examined the engine carefully. He knew considerable about such
things, and yet he fancied, he might have more or less trouble with the
motive power of this Lake Superior boat; for it was of rather an ancient
pattern, and had evidently seen its best days.

Between them Thad and Allan confessed this much, but they did not think
it good policy to say anything to the others, though anxious Bumpus
watched their conference uneasily, and could be seen to carefully pick
out a spot on the rail where he perched, and seemed inclined to stay--it
was handy to a quick getaway in case the worst happened, and the engine
blew up, as he whispered to himself.

After he had, as he believed, mastered the rudiments of the working of
the motor Thad told them to cast off, and they would make a start.
Several men stood around to watch them get away, among them the party in
whose charge the boat had been left, and who had only delivered it up
after Thad had produced an order for the same, and paid certain expenses
for storage and watching.

"Were moving at last!" called Step Hen excitedly, as the machinery
started to go with a rush, after Thad had cranked the engine.

Allan stood by the wheel, and as the prow of the boat gurgled through
the clear waters of the great lake, every scout was thrilled with the
vast possibilities that faced them, now that their cruise had begun.