“Well, that’s the limit!” roared Dick.

“Sam means your dancing pumps?” said Fred.  “You mustn’t forget them, you know—­not if you want to be a really and truly society man.”

“I got a pair of slippers for dot,” answered Hans.  “How many dress suits you vos dake along, hey?”

“Oh, about seven,” answered Tom, carelessly.

“You ton’t tole me dot, Tom!  Maybe I haf to puy some more, hey?”

“Well, I shouldn’t—­not just yet,” answered Dick.  “Wait till the new fall styles come out.  What you want for a starter is some everyday clothes, a sweater or two, and a pair of rubber boots, in case we have to walk ashore in the mud some time.”

“Veil, I got dem too,” answered Hans.

A letter had already been sent to Captain Starr, asking him to have the houseboat brought up to Pittsburg.  The captain was also told to have the Dora thoroughly cleaned and put in proper trim for he outing.

“We want the ladies to be satisfied with her appearance,” said Dick.

“And especially since she is named the Dora,” grinned Tom.

“Oh, you’re only piqued because she isn’t named the Nellie,” retorted his older brother, with a laugh.

“Never mind, Dick; some day you can use the houseboat on a honeymoon,” answered Tom, and then ran off.

At last came the time for the boys to leave the farm.  Jack Ness took all the trunks and suit cases to the depot and then transported the boys in the family carriage, with Aleck on the seat beside him.

“Good-bye to Valley Brook farm!” cried Tomb waving his hat.

“Take good care of yourselves, boys!” shouted Anderson Rover.

“Don’t get drowned,” put in the aunt.  And then with final adieux they were off.  The drive to Oak Run was a quick one, and ten minutes later the train came in and they went aboard.

The run to Pittsburg was to occupy several hours, so the boys made themselves as comfortable as possible.  They had dinner on the train and ordered the best of everything to be had.

It had been arranged that all bound for the houseboat trip should meet at the American House, and thither the boys made their way on reaching the Smoky City, as Pittsburg is often called, on account of its numerous manufactories.

“Here we are!” cried a voice, as soon as they entered, and Songbird Powell hurried up to them.  “I thought you’d get here about this time.”

“Have you seen anything of the ladies?” queried Dick.

“Yes, they are all in the ladies’ parlor.  I told them I’d keep a lookout for you.”

They made their way to the parlor, where a great handshaking took place.  Mrs. Stanhope and Dora were there, and also Grace and Nellie with Mrs. Laning.  The latter was not used to traveling and was in quite a flutter.

“The girls insisted upon my coming,” said Mrs. Laning.  “I didn’t think I could do it at first, but they wouldn’t take no for an answer.”