The next week was full of pleasant excitement for Charlie and Selwyn.  They left school a few days before it closed that they might help mamma and sister Agatha, who were very busy getting things into what papa called “leaving order.”  There was a great deal to do, but at last everything was accomplished, the steamer trunks had been packed, and some last good-byes spoken.  Fritz and the rabbits had been given into Ned’s keeping with many injunctions and cautions.  Carefully wrapped in cloths, the boys had placed their bicycles in the seclusion which a garret granted.  Balls, tennis rackets, boxes of pet tools, favorite books, everything, in fact, had been thought of and cared for, and at last the eventful day of sailing arrived.

A number of friends came to the city to see the Kingsleys off.  They sat in the saloon of the big steamer with Mrs. Kingsley and her daughter, while the boys, under papa’s care, remained on the dock for a while, deeply interested in their unusual surroundings.  They were almost wild with excitement, which not even the prospect of parting with Ned could quiet, and it is not much to be wondered at, there was so much going on.

The long covered dock was crowded with men, women, and children, nearly all of whom were talking at the same time.  Large wagons were unloading; trunks, boxes and steamer-chairs stood about, which the steamer “hands” were carrying up the gangway as rapidly as possible; huge cases, burlap-covered bundles, barrels and boxes were being lowered into the hold by means of a derrick; men were shouting, children crying, horses champing, and in the midst of the confusion loving last words were being spoken.

When papa joined the grown people in the saloon, Charlie, Selwyn, and Ned made a tour of the steamer.  Of course they were careful not to get in the way of the busy sailors, but they found lots to see without doing that.  First, wraps and hand-satchels were deposited in their state-rooms, which were directly opposite each other, and the state-rooms thoroughly investigated, each boy climbing into the upper berths “to see how it felt.”  Then they visited the kitchen, saw the enormous tea and coffee pots, and the deep, round shining pans in which the food was cooked.  But they did not stay here long, as it was nearly dinner time, and everybody was very busy.  Next came the engine-room, which completely fascinated them with its many wheels and rods and bolts, all shining like new silver and gold.

From there they went on deck, clambered up little flights of steps as steep as ladders and as slippery as glass; walked about the upper deck, and managed to see a great deal in fifteen or twenty minutes.  By the time they returned to the gangway all the baggage and merchandise had been taken on board.  A man in a blue coat with brass buttons, and a cap with a gilt band around it, called out in a loud voice, “All on shore!” and then came last good-byes.  Smiles and laughter vanished, tears and sobs took their places.  “Good-bye!” “God bless you!” “Bon voyage!” “Don’t forget to write!” was heard on every side.  Mamma and sister Agatha shed a few tears; even papa was seen to take off his glasses several times to wipe the moisture which would collect on them.