“Not to-night, that’s certain,” responded the other.  “I’ve had enough excitement for one day.”

“What’s the matter with to-morrow night, then?”

“I’m agreeable.  How about you, Sam?”

“I wish you fellows would leave me out of it,” rejoined the bully’s timid chum.

“Like they left you out of their patrol, eh?” sneered Bill, knowing that he was touching the other on a tender spot.

“All right, to-morrow night suits me,” snapped Sam, flushing angrily at Bill’s remark—­as that worthy had intended he should.  “Here’s my house.  We’ll meet at Bill’s ‘boudoir."’

“Right you are,” chuckled Jack.  “Oh, say, it’s going to be the joke of the century!”

CHAPTER IV

SAM IN DIRE STRAITS

“Kree-ee-ee!”

Merritt paused the next morning in front of Tubby’s home, and gave the “call” of the Eagle Patrol with a not uncreditable resemblance to the scream of a real eagle.

The cry was instantly echoed—­though in a rather thicker way—­ from inside the house, and in a minute Tubby, who knew that some one of the patrol must have uttered the call, appeared at his door, munching a large slice of bread and jam, although it was not more than an hour since breakfast.

“Say, you, did you ever hear an eagle scream with his mouth full of bread and jam?” demanded Merritt, as the stout youth appeared.

“Eagles don’t eat bread and jam,” rejoined Tubby, defending his position.  “Have some?”

“Having had breakfast not more than an hour ago, I’m not hungry yet, thank you,” politely rejoined the corporal; “besides, I’m afraid I’d get fat.”

Dodging the stout youth’s blow, the corporal went on: 

“Heard the news?”

“No—­what news?” eagerly demanded the other, finishing his light repast.

“Why, the Dolphin—­you know, that fishing boat—­picked up Sam’s hydroplane at sea and towed it in.  It’s in pretty good shape, I hear, although the engine is out of commission and it was half full of water.”

“He’s a lucky fellow to get it back.”

“I should say so,” replied Merritt; “but it will cost him a whole lot to reclaim it.  The captain of the Dolphin says he wants fifty dollars for it as salvage.”

“Gee!  Do you think Sam’s father will give him that much?” said Tubby, with round eyes.

“I don’t know.  He can afford it all right.  He’s made a lot of money out of that boat-building shop, my father says; but he’s so stingy that I doubt very much if he will give Sam such a sum.”

“Why, here’s Sam coming down the street now,” exclaimed the good-natured Tubby.  “I wonder if he’s heard about it.  Hullo, Sam!  Get all the water out of your system?”

“I’m all right this morning, if that is what you mean,” rejoined the other, with dignity.

“Heard the news about your boat?” asked Merritt suddenly.