ing things by halves, is it?" asked Tommy, with a broad
grin on his face. "Here, in this old chest, are all the costumes, and
if we don't make that old barge look as well as it ever did, I shall be
astonished."

"You'll probably get licked, you mean," laughed Phil. "But, all the
same, it's a splendid idea. We won't spoil the show for a ha'porth of
tar. Let's see how these things fit."

Ten minutes later, had any councillor of Riddington had sufficient
interest to pay a casual visit to the boat-house, he would have seen a
sight which would certainly have given a rude shock to his nerves. For
in the old and musty building stalked three figures gorgeously attired
in costumes of red velvet, slashed in all directions with what had once
been white, red stockings and big-bowed shoes, heavy chains of brass
round their necks, and huge beef-eater hats upon their heads. Beneath
the hats, where bearded faces should have been, were the merry
countenances of three boys who were bent upon a piece of mischief.

"Look here, Phil, you boss this show," said Tommy shortly, looking at
the other lad to see if he agreed. "We're ready. Give your orders and
we'll get aboard."

"Right, Tommy! Help with this tarpaulin. That's right. Now jump
inside, you fellows, and fish out the rowlocks, and see that a couple of
oars are handy. The rudder is already there. Now we can start. Hop in
there and take your places. I'll open the gates and push her out."

Waiting to see that all was ready, Phil pulled the bolt of the gates
which closed the exit to the river, and threw them open. Then he guided
the old state barge, all bedecked with gold and colours and curious
devices, out into the river, giving a lusty push off, and springing in
just at the last moment.

"Out oars!" he cried. "Tommy, what are you grinning at? Remember you
are a bargeman."

"Beg pardon, sir. Sorry, I'm sure," replied the irrepressible Tommy,
with a broad smile on his face. "I say, Phil, what a sight you do look
in those togs! and sha'n't we catch it when they find out who we are?
Old Barrington will be furious. He said he'd have our blood--or
something like that--when we held him up the other day."

"Oh, bother Barrington! I know he said we were a disgrace to the town,
and that he'd keep a special eye upon us in future," answered Phil, with
a laugh. "But pull hard, you fellows. I'll run up past the town; there
are lots of boats there that we'll go close