He shook his head.  Mrs. Livingston came upon the scene.  Harriet assisted her into the rowboat.  The Chief Guardian directed the other Meadow-Brook girls to get in, telling the girls who were left on shore that they would be taken out to the “Sister Sue” as fast as possible, until there was no more room.  The others would have their turn soon afterward.

If the girls had been pleased with the “Sister Sue” from a shore view, they were enthusiastic at what they saw when they got on board.  The decks were white from scouring, the binnacle that held the compass shone with mirror-like brightness, ropes were neatly coiled and everywhere was the smell of fresh paint and the faint, salty odor of the deep sea.

The “Sue” was some forty feet in length over all, broad of beam, covered over about half her length amidships by a raised deck cabin, a cabin that rises above the deck a few inches with narrow windows on the two sides.  Two doors from the cockpit led into the cabin.  Into this the Meadow-Brook Girls hurried, after one quick look over the trim craft.  They cried out for Mrs. Livingston to join them.  The interior of the cabin was in white with plush seats on each side, the seats being broad and comfortable, affording lounging space for several persons at one time.  A tank holding drinking water, at the forward end of the cabin, was the only other furnishing.

The “Sue” was far from palatial, but the Camp Girls thought they had never seen a neater or prettier boat, and as for its ability to sail, they had seen something of that as the sloop came into the bay.

Mrs. Livingston had remained outside to speak with the skipper.  Harriet soon joined them.  Captain Billy was a type.  His grizzled, red beard was so near the color of his face that it was not easy to determine where the beard left off and the face began.  Billy had a habit of avoiding one’s eyes when speaking.  Either he would be consulting the deck of the “Sue” or gazing at the sky.  He was looking up at the clouds now.

“The captain says he can safely carry ten persons without crowding, Harriet,” the Chief Guardian informed her.  Then turning to the captain, “This young lady has been placed in charge of the boat by Mr. McCarthy; of course, your judgment as to what is best for all concerned must prevail.”

Captain Billy’s whiskers bristled.  He swept the Meadow-Brook Girl with a quick, measuring glance, then permitted his eyes to gaze upward again.

“I was going to suggest, Mrs. Livingston, that we first take you and the other guardians out for a sail, say to-morrow morning.  I don’t think the captain will wish to go out in the evening,” said Harriet.

He shook his head.

“Certainly not,” declared Mrs. Livingston.  “And now, sir, what about your meals—­the board for yourself and your man?”

“Get my own.  He goes away early in the morning.  Sleep on board, too.  You needn’t worry about me.  Got any gear you want to get aboard?”