“That about completes the list, doesn’t it?” asked Bud.

“We’ll have to have a permit,” said Hal.

“Permit for what?” Bud inquired.

“A permit from Mr. Perry to go.”

“You’re kidding now,” said Bud.  “Maybe you think this is all a joke.”

“I’m afraid it is, but I’ll eat my words—­and glad to do it—­if Cub’s father and our fathers let us go.”

“We’ve all got some persuading to do, there’s no doubt o’ that,” Cub admitted; “but I hope we’ll succeed.  I’ll talk to father in the morning at the breakfast table and call you fellows up an’ let you know what he says.  Now I’ll call Mr. Robinson Crusoe again and tell ’im I’ll call ’im in the morning and let ’im know what we can do.”

He had no difficulty in getting the “island prisoner” again, for the latter was waiting eagerly for a message of hope.  Cub, however, was cautious in this regard, saying nothing about the plan of himself and his two radio friends.  He merely told “Mr. Crusoe” that he would do the best he could for him and would call him next day, specifying the hour.  Then Bud and Hal went their separate ways homeward.

At 8:30 next morning Cub called Hal on the telephone and inquired: 

“Hello, Hal, did you talk to your folks about our plan?”

“Yes,” was the reply; “and I just got through talking with Bud over the wire before you called up.”

“Well, how does it stand?”

“His folks won’t let him go and my folks won’t let me go unless some experienced man goes along with us.”

“Hooray! we win!” yelled Cub.  “Father thinks it’s a peach of an adventure and he’s almost as crazy over it as we were last night.  He says ‘yes’ with a capital Y, and he’ll go along with us.  He says he’s been wanting a vacation with some pep in it for quite a while, and this scheme of ours is ninety-nine per cent pep.  If you and Bud don’t go, father and I are going anyway.  So get busy as fast as you can.  We’re off this afternoon, as early as we can get ready.  I’ve already sent a wireless to Crusoe that we’re coming.  Good-bye; I’m going to call Bud now.  Be over here as soon as you can and help us get ready.”

CHAPTER IV

The Catwhisker

The Catwhisker, a neat gasoline power boat of the cruiser type left the private dock of the Perry home in Oswego early in the afternoon with the three radio boys and Mr. Perry on board.  This had meant some rapid work by the members of the “rescue party” in preparation for the trip, for it was necessary for them to do considerable buying in the line of provisions and the transportation of a number of articles of incidental convenience, together with one complete sending and receiving wireless outfit.  The hook-up of this outfit, on the boat, however, was left for a more leisurely occupation after all other preparations for the cruise were completed and they were well on their way.