Frank was enthusiastic over the arrangements, declaring
that each feature was exactly as he would have wished for it himself.
The searchlight and cabin lights operated by the dynamo below decks were
sources of pleasure.
Harry was soon busily engaged in preparing a bountiful supper for the
boys who were ready to do ample justice to his skill in the kitchen.
Harry felt justly proud of his ability as did the others, who sat down
to a supper of broiled Red Snapper with a mushroom sauce helped out by
fried potatoes, hot baking powder biscuits and excellent coffee. Frank
had opened a tin of marmalade which disappeared rapidly before the young
appetites.
Frank had been relieved at the wheel by Arnold who loved to be entrusted
with the management of the boat.
While the boys ate, a glorious sunset graced the western sky. Long
spears of light flashed up through misty, veil-like clouds, seeming to
invite the boys to the West, as if holding out to them promises of great
things in store.
Silently the boys gazed in rapt wonder. At last with a deep sigh, Frank
broke the silence that had seemed to hold all the boys.
"Isn't that grand?" he asked. "For that one could almost willingly
repeat what we've been through today. I like sunrises and sunsets and
storms and calms and all the phenomena of nature."
"I like trees and flowers most of all!" declared Tom.
"And I like live things--birds and squirrels and such!" Arnold declared.
When I grow up, I'm going to be President and have a law passed that
it's a crime to rob nests and kill squirrels and things like that.
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