lready."

"Well, if you get the money you won't forget me, will you?" persisted
Sam.

"What a queer boy you are, Sam! Forget you! Well, just try me with the
money and see!" she added, and gave him one of her warmest smiles. Then
she danced off to look at the rest of the steam yacht, and the youngest
Rover followed her.

CHAPTER XII

SOMETHING ABOUT FIRECRACKERS

All was in readiness for departure but one thing, and that was the most
important of all. Bahama Bill had not put in an appearance and was not
expected until the evening of the Fourth of July.

"We shall have to remain over the Fourth after all," said Anderson
Rover. "But I imagine that will suit you boys, for you can stay in the
city and have some fun."

It did suit all the young folks, and they immediately planned a fine
automobile tour for the afternoon, hiring two autos large enough to
accommodate all of the girls and boys. The morning was spent in and
around the yacht, where Tom and some of the others amused themselves by
shooting off their pistols and some firecrackers. Tom had purchased
some things for the Fourth the day previous and he had one package
which he was careful to keep out of sight.

"I am going to have a barrel of fun with the girls," he said to his
brothers. "But don't tell anybody about it."

"What is it?" asked his younger brother.

"Wait and see."

It had been arranged that the whole party should have an early lunch,
so that they might start on the automobile ride by one o'clock. Aleck
was in charge of the dining room of the yacht and he had spread himself
in trimming it with red, white and blue streamers and small flags.

"Oh, how lovely!" cried Dora, as she came in and sat down. "I declare,
Aleck, you deserve a great deal of credit." And she gave the colored
man a smile which pleased him immensely.

"Where is Tom?" asked Mr. Rover, after all the others were seated.

"I ton't know," answered Hans. "Tidn't he know ve vos to eat a leetle
early to-tay?"

"He's coming," answered Sam.

Just then Tom came into the dining room holding something in his hand
covered with a long paper bag. From under the bag smoke was curling.

"In honor of the Fourth of July!" cried the fun-loving Rover and placed
the object upright in the center of the long table. Then he took off
the bag with a flourish. There was revealed a big cannon cracker, fully
a foot and a half high and several inches in diameter. The fuse was
spluttering a