Promptly at two the party went down to the Griswold dock, gay with excitement and a holiday crowd embarking in every sort of craft, all bound for the course up the river.  The naptha launch had been run alongside the long Griswold pier and it did not take long for Captain Boynton’s party to scramble aboard.  Captain Boynton, Captain Stewart and the girls went forward, some of the boys making for the bow where the outlook was enough to stir older and far more staid souls than any the Frolic carried that day.

They cast off, and soon were making their fussy way in and out among the hundreds of launches, yachts and craft of every known description.

The crew of the Frolic was a picked one, the coxswain, an experienced hand, as was certainly required that day.  The pretty launch was dressed in all her bunting, and flying the flag of her club.

Through the mass of festive shipping the launch worked her way, guided by the steady hand of the man at her wheel, his gray eyes alert for every move on port or starboard.

Peggy and Polly were close beside him.  Captain Stewart and Captain Boynton stood a little behind watching the girls, whose eager eyes noted every turn of the wheel.  An odd light came into Captain Boynton’s eyes as he watched them.  Presently he asked Peggy: 

“Do you think you could handle a launch, little girl?”

“Why—­perhaps I could—­a little,” answered Peggy modestly.

“Why, Peggy Stewart, there isn’t a girl in Annapolis who can handle a launch or a sailboat as you do,” cried Polly, aroused to emphatic protest.

Peggy blushed, and laughingly replied:  “Only Polly Howland, the Annapolis Co-Ed.”

“Eh?  What’s that?” asked Captain Boynton.

“Oh, Polly has had a regular course in seamanship, Captain Boynton, and knows just everything.”

“Any more than you do, miss?” demanded Polly.

“Yes, lots,” insisted Peggy.

“Well, I’ll wager anything you could take this launch up the river as easily as the coxswain is doing it,” was Polly’s excited statement.

“How’s that, Stewart?  Have you been teaching your girl navigation?”

“I hadn’t a thing to do with it.  It’s all due to the good friends who have been looking after her while I’ve been shooting up targets.  But Polly’s right.  She can handle a craft and so can this little redhead,” laughed Captain Stewart, pulling a lock of Polly’s hair which the frolicsome wind had loosened.

“By Jove, let’s test it.  Not many girls can do that trick.  Coxswain, turn over the wheel to this young lady, but stand by in case you’re needed.”

The coxswain looked a little doubtful, but answered:  “Aye, aye, sir.”

“Oh, ought I?” asked Peggy.

“Get busy, messmate,” said Captain Boynton.