Frank Merriwells Cruise | Page 6

delivered at the American House. Without delay the boys put them on,
and they proved satisfactory in every way, so Frank paid the bill and
the messenger who brought them departed satisfied.
The boys ate an early breakfast, and all had good appetites. The
American House dining room is rather somber, but they joked and
laughed in the best of spirits.
After breakfast final arrangements for the care of their baggage were
made, then a cab was ordered, and they all piled in and were rattled
away toward Atlantic Avenue.
Jack had not seen Frank's yacht, and he was curious, concerning her
appearance.
Not far from the pier of the Bangor boat lay the White Wings, guarded
by a watchman, who saluted Merriwell as the boys went aboard.
The White Wings was a sloop yacht with club and jib topsails. She was
not large, and it did not strike Diamond that she would prove to be fast,
but she looked comfortable, and comfort was what they sought. They
were not thinking of racing.
Frank paid the watchman for his services, and gave him something
extra, whereupon the man departed greatly satisfied.
"Come, fellows," called Merry; "we'll go below and see how she looks
down there."
They descended into the cabin, which was locked, Merry having the
key. Jack was astonished when they entered the cabin, for it was far
more roomy than he had supposed possible. A glimpse at the curtained
berths showed there was plenty of sleeping room for all of them. There
was a folding table, an oil stove, comfortable seats on the lockers, and
everything looked inviting. Four handsome repeating shotguns and a

magazine rifle hung above the lockers.
"How does she look down here, fellows?" asked Frank.
"She looks all right," grunted Browning, as he lazily rolled into one of
the bunks. "Excuse me. I want to see what kind of a place I'll be stowed
in when I am seasick."
"What do you think you'll do with those guns, Frank?" asked Jack.
"Can't tell," smiled Frank. "Remember, we are going down into
Maine."
"Yes, but you told us Maine was a civilized State. From your talk when
we discussed the matter I didn't suppose guns would be needed down
there."
"Is Virginia civilized?"
"Well, rather."
"Ever find anything to shoot up in the mountain region?"
"Oh, yes; but----"
"That's all. New York is civilized, but there are bears and deer in the
Adirondacks."
"Well, I didn't know we were going anywhere near a portion of Maine
where there was game."
"Can't tell where we may go."
"Besides, if they have game laws down there, it must be close time for
hunting."
"It is, but, all the same, it will be a good scheme to have these guns
along. We're going to rough it a great deal, and we may need them. I
have brought all sorts of rigs for fishing, and I have two tents on board.

My idea, gentlemen, is to make this a regular outing trip, and, when we
are not on board the White Wings, we do not want to spend our time in
hotels."
"Not much," nodded Hodge.
"Say, Merriwell," cried Diamond, in admiration, "you are a dandy. You
have planned all our outings for the past two years, and we have had
sport galore; but what makes me sore is the fact that you pay all the
bills."
A truck team came rumbling down onto the wharf, and Hodge looked
around.
"Baggage," he called.
A truckman had arrived with their luggage from the hotel. The boys,
excepting Browning, went on deck and brought the stuff aboard.
As Frank was settling with the truckman, the latter said:
"I wish you good luck, young man, but I doubt if you'll have it taking a
cruise in that craft."
"Why is that?" asked Merry. "What is the matter with that craft?"
"Well, sir, they do say as how she is hoodooed."
"Indeed!"
"Yes, sir. Everybody as has owned her in the last two years has had
hard luck."
"This is interesting."
"I hauled her first load of provisions, and I have known her a long time.
On her trial cruise she capsized before she got out of the harbor."
"Is that all?"

"Hardly. Her first owner committed suicide on board of her--cut his
throat down below. They say she has been haunted by his spook ever
since."
Merry laughed.
"This is decidedly interesting. I'd have given more for her if I had
known she owned a spook. I am very fond of spooks. They are
interesting."
"Boo!" shivered the truckman. "Don't want none in mine."
"Have you told me all the unlucky things that have happened to the
White Wings?"
"No. Next fellow that owned her ran down a rowboat and drowned a
boy. Then he