Part 8 (1/2)
The lads entered into the spirit of his mood with great gusto, and cheered hilariously. The basket was produced, and at this moment Mrs.
Gordon was seen coming across the meadow. ”Just in time, mother!”
cried Jack, starting off to meet her.
”You must christen the boat!” vociferated all.
”And is that the reason why Uncle Gerald sent for me, and brought me away from my morning's mending?” she exclaimed, in a tone which was intended to be slightly reproachful, though she looked prepared for anything that might be required of her; for Mrs. Gordon, somehow, managed never to be so busy as to be unable to enter into the pleasures of her boys.
”Yes,” acknowledged Uncle Gerald; ”and I have been doing my utmost to delay the proceedings, so that you would not miss them. You see, Leo and I have prepared a little surprise for the company.”
After a comprehensive glance at the basket, which certainly appeared well packed, she asked:
”And what is to be the name of the boat?”
”We have not quite decided yet, Mrs. Gordon,” began Rob.
”No,” interposed Jack. ”We think _this_ ought to be the _Jolly Pioneer_. We let Jim and Leo have the other boat, but we didn't mean to give them the name too. We chose it, and we can't think of any we like so well.”
”Oh, keep it, then!” answered Jim, with a wave of the hand like that of a stage hero resigning a fortune. (It was evident that the subject had been broached before.) ”We are quite able to choose a name ourselves; we could think of half a dozen others if we wanted to, so you are welcome to call your boat whatever you please.”
The permission might, indeed, have been more graciously expressed; but as Jim's words were accompanied by a good-natured smile. Jack wondered if he might not accept it.
Mrs. Gordon stood, with the bottle in her hand, waiting for the decision, but wisely refraining from comment; the boys always settled their little disputes for themselves.
”Well, what shall it be? Speak!” she said.
”The _Jolly Pioneer_!” cried both.
The next moment there was a crash of broken gla.s.s and a dash of ginger-pop on what was called by courtesy the bow.
”Bravo! The Jolly Pioneer is a new recruit enlisted into the temperance cadet corps,” said Uncle Gerald, laughing.
There was a s.h.i.+fting of planks by Rob and Jack, and in another moment the little craft was dancing gaily upon the bright waters.
”Hurrah, hurrah!” cried the boys in chorus.
By turns they rowed a short distance down the stream and back. There was no danger of sinking this time. Then they gathered under the tree, where Mrs. Gordon and Uncle Gerald had unpacked the basket and set forth a tempting lunch upon a tablecloth on the gra.s.s. As hunger is said to be the best sauce, so good-humor sweetens the simplest fare.
Our friends enjoyed their sandwiches and doughnuts, and milk rich with cream, as much as if a banquet had been spread before them. There was plenty of fun, too; and though the wit was not very brilliant, it was innocent and kindly, and served its purpose; for the company were quite ready to be pleased at any one's effort to be entertaining or amusing.
After an hour or more, Mrs. Gordon announced her intention of returning to the house.
”And I must be off also; for I have to drive two or three miles up country, about some business,” added her brother.
”We shall all have to leave now,” said Jack. ”Father Martin is going to drill the cadets for a short time in the early part of the afternoon.”
”What arrangements have you made for fastening your boat?” asked Uncle Gerald. ”To guard against its being tampered with by meddlesome persons, as well as to prevent its drifting away, you ought to secure it to a stake near the bank by means of a padlock.”
”We forgot to get one,” returned Jack. ”No one will touch it here.
I'll tie it to a tree with this piece of rope, so that it won't go floating off on an exploring expedition on its own account.”