"Our boilers are not in the best of condition," said Captain Fairleigh.
"I trust there is no danger of their blowing up," returned Dick.
"Not if we don't force them too much."
It had been arranged that the boys and girls should pay a fair price
for the trip to Honolulu, the money to, be sent to the captain of
the Tacoma later on. As for old Jerry, he signed articles to work
his passage to the Hawaiian Islands and back again. As Captain
Fairleigh was rather short of hands he was glad to have the old sailor
join his crew.
The days slipped by, and, having recovered from the effects of the
storm, the Rover boys became as light hearted as ever. Tom was
particularly full of pranks.
"No use of crying over spilt milk," he declared. "Let us be thankful
the pitcher wasn't broken, or, in other words, that we are not at
this moment at the bottom of the Pacific."
"Right you are," replied Sam.
There was an old piano on board, and the boys and girls often amused
themselves at this, singing and playing. As there were no other
passengers, they had the freedom of the ship.
"This would be real jolly," said Tom, "if it wasn't that the folks
at home must be worried," and then he began to sing, for he really
could not be sad:
"A life on the ocean wave,
A home on the rolling deep,
A house in a watery cave--
Where I might rest in sleep!"
"Did you ever hear such a song?" cried Nellie, and Tom went on:
"The boy stood on the burning deck,
Munching apples by the peck;
The captain yelled, he stood stock-still,
For of those apples he wanted his fill!"
"Tom Rover!" burst out Dora.
Pages:
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55