inued the Admiral, only smiling at this interruption,
"is the good sloop _Millgirl_ that recently came up the river with
supplies for Berks Mills, and is now lying about five miles down-stream,
at the head of navigation, waiting for a return charter. She has been
pressed into the service by my old friend Mr. Redmond Cuddeback, who,
through me, tenders her to the Rangers for this cruise."

"Three cheers for Mr. Cuddeback!" cried Si Carew, and they were given
with such heartiness as to be heard more than a mile away.

"I have examined Captain Crotty, her commander," added the speaker, "and
find him to be a good seaman. He is therefore well fitted to take charge
of a lot of reckless young landlubbers like you, and will keep an eye on
you all the time you are away. He has orders to maintain strict
discipline, and to give you such instruction in seamanship as the length
of the cruise will allow. So now, lads, what do you say? Are you
prepared to ship for the voyage, sign the articles of war, become Sea
Rangers, and show these New York lads the difference between sailing
under canvas and travelling in a tea-kettle, betwixt living aboard a
ship that will rock you to sleep like a cradle every night and camping
on a 'dull, unchanging shore'--as the poet chap rightly calls
it--between handling a sea-boat and paddling about in a toy canoe? I'm
waiting for an expression of your sentiments."

"Hi-ho, Ranger! Hi-ho, Ranger! Hi-ho, Ranger! Berks! Berks! Berks!"
answered the boys, springing to their feet in uncontrollable enthusiasm,
waving their hats, and delivering the Ready Ranger cheer with such
unanimity and vehemence as left not the slightest doubt of their
willingness to become Sea Rangers then and there.

"I move that Admiral Richard Marlin be elected to honorable membership,"
said Hal Bacon.

"Second the motion!" shouted every member present.

"All in favor--" began Captain Will.

"Aye!" came the unanimous response, as though from a single voice, even
before the question was wholly presented.

"Carried without dissent," announced Will, who was becoming very expert
in the use of parliamentary terms.

In thus adding a retired Admiral to their ranks that already held an
Annapolis cadet, the Rangers felt that their organization and the United
States navy were about as good as one and the same thing.

CHAPTER IV.

LITTLE CAL AND HIS MERMAID.

Two days after that on which the gloom of the Rangers was so
miraculously