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 glass 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 shifting 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 grass.  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.”

The next day was Sunday, and the boys had no chance to use the boat again until Monday after school.  When they hurried to the spot where it had been moored, alas! the Jolly Pioneer was nowhere to be seen.

“Do you think she broke away?” asked Leo.

“Pshaw!  The Jolly Pioneer isn’t a pony!” impatiently answered Jack.

“But the rope might have snapped,” said Jim.

“No:  the boat has been stolen,” muttered Bob, gloomily.