The Banner Boy Scouts Afloat | Page 9

or even a w-w-wild man?"
demanded Bluff Shipley, who stuttered once in a while, when unduly
excited, though he was by degrees overcoming the nervous habit.
"Put it to a vote, Mr. Chairman!" called out Bobolink.
"Yes, and majority rules, remember," warned William Carberry.
"But that don't mean a feller just has to go along, does it?" asked
Nuthin, looking somewhat aghast at the thought.
"Of course it don't;" Bobolink told him; "all the same you'll be on deck,
my boy. I just know you can't resist having such a jolly good time,
ghost or not. Question, Mr. Chairman!"
"Vote! Vote!"
"All in favor of trying to go through the old canal that used to connect
the Bushkill with the Radway, and cruising up to Cedar Island,
camping there for a week or ten days, say 'aye,'" Paul went on to
remark.
A thunderous response cheered his heart; for somehow Paul seemed
very much set upon following out the scheme he himself had devised.
"Contrary, no!" he continued.
There were just three who boldly allowed themselves to be set down as
not being in favor of the daring plan--Nuthin, Curly Baxter and Joe
Clausin; and yet, just as the wise, far-seeing Bobolink had declared,
when it came to a question of staying at home while the rest of the
troop were off enjoying their vacation, or swallowing their fear of
ghosts and wild men, these three boys would be along when the
motorboats started on their adventurous cruise.
"The ayes have it; and the meeting stands adjourned, according to the
motion I can see Jack Stormways's just about to put," and with a laugh

Paul stepped down from the platform.
For fully half an hour they talked the thing over. It was viewed from
every possible angle. Many objections raised by the doubters were
promptly met by the ready Paul; and in the end it was definitely
decided that they would give just one day to making all needed
preparations.
They had tents for the three patrols now, and all sorts of cooking
utensils; for frequently the scouts were divided into messes, there being
a cook appointed in each patrol.
What was needed most of all were the supplies for an extended stay;
and when it was taken into consideration that a score of boys, with
ravenous appetites, would want three big meals each and every day, the
question of figuring out enough provisions to see them through was no
light matter.
But then they had considerable money in the treasury, and a numbers of
the boys said they would bring loaves of bread, and all sorts of eatables
from home; so Paul saw his way clear toward providing the given
quantity.
"Don't forget that the gasoline is going to eat a big hole into our little
pile of the long green," remarked Curly Baxter, still engaged in trying
to throw cold water on the scheme.
"Oh, that makes me think of something I forgot to tell you, fellows,"
declared Paul, his face filled with good humor. "One of the stipulations
connected with the lending of these two motor-boats by the kind
gentlemen who own them was that they insisted on supplying all the
liquid fuel needed to run the craft. The tanks are to be filled, and each
boat carries in addition another drum, with extra gasoline. We'll likely
have enough for all our needs that way, and without costing us a red
cent, either. So, you see how easy most of your objections melt away,
Curly. Chances are, you'll fall into line, and be with us when we start
the day after tomorrow."

Several of the boys were feeling pretty blue. They wanted to
accompany the rest of the troop the worst way; but it happened that
their folks had planned to go down to the sea-shore for a month, until
school began again; and the chances were they would have to go along,
though every one of them declared they would choose the cruise up the
Radway in the two motorboats, if given their way.
But it looked as though there was going to be a pretty fair crowd on
each boat. Paul counted noses of those he believed would be along, and
found that they seemed to number eighteen. If two of the three timid
ones concluded to throw their fears to the winds, and come along, it
would make an even twenty.
"Of course, it will be hard to sleep so many aboard, because the boats
are small affairs, taken altogether," Paul observed; "but we hope to
make the journey in a full day, and be on Cedar Island by nightfall."
"Whew! night on Cedar Island--excuse me if you please!" faltered
Curly Baxter, holding up both hands, as though the idea suggested all
sorts of terrible things