“I declare it’s most too good to use,” said Sam, when on a tour of inspection.  “This craft must have cost a sight of money.”

“It did,” answered his father.  “But the owner is a millionaire so he can well afford it.”

The boys were as much interested in the machinery as in anything, and they visited the engine room and became acquainted with Frank Norton, the head engineer.  They learned that the engine was of the most modern type, and that the Rainbow, in spite of her breadth of beam she was rather wide could make twenty to twenty six knots an hour in an ordinary sea.

“And we’ve got a licence to go where we please,” added the head engineer proudly.

Now that they were aboard the steam yacht the Rover boys were anxious to be sailing.  But they were also anxious to greet their friends and they awaited the arrival of the others with interest.  Fred Garrison and Hans Mueller came in together, the following noon, Hans lugging a dress suit case that was as big almost as a dog house.

“Here we are again!” sang out Fred, dropping his baggage and shaking hands all around.  “I declare it’s like when we went on the houseboat trip.”

“Maybe I ton’t vos glad to drop dot leetle drunk alretty?” said Hans, indicating his baggage.  “He vos veigh most a don, I dink.”

“Why didn’t you let an expressman bring it?” asked Dick.

“Not much!” declared the German youth, shaking his head vigorously.  “Vonce I haf a pox mid a new hat in him, und I say to a poy, carry dot und I gif you den cents.  Vell he is carrying dot yet, I dink, for I ton’t see dot hat no more, nefer!”

“Well, you won’t have to carry any more baggage for a long while to come,” said Mr. Rover, with a smile, and then had Aleck take the things below.  When Hans saw the elegant staterooms, and the main saloon of the steam yacht with its beautiful mirrors and rich carvings, his eyes bulged out like saucers.

“Mine cracious!” he gasped.  “Vos dis der poat we sail in, udder vos dis a poat pelonging to Mr. Vanderfellow, or some of dose udder millionaires?”

“This is the boat,” said Tom, with a wink at the others.  “Of course it’s rather plain, Hans, but maybe you’ll get used to it.”

“Blain?  Vy, Dom—­”

“There are only six kinds of baths aboard, cold, hot, soda, milk, mustard, and cream de fizz, but if you want any other kind all you’ve got to do is to ask the ship’s carpenter about it.”

“Six kinds of paths!  Vy I ton’t vos—­”

“And then at meals the cook serves only five kinds of dessert pie, fruit, iced cabbage, vinegar sherbit, and hot lardalumpabus.  Of course I know you don’t like pie and fruit and things like that, but you’ll fall dead in love with the lardalumpabus,” went on the fun-loving Rover.

“Vot is dot lardapusalump ennahow?” queried Hans, scratching his head gravely.  “I ton’t remember him.”

“Why, it’s a compote, with frizzled gizzardinus and pollylolly.  It’s delicious, served with cream and salt—­but you want lots of salt, Hans, lots of salt.”