aker. Amidships, there was a tiny cabin that one had to stoop to enter.
On one side of this were small lockers, one designed to hold tools and
spare parts of the engine, the other serving as a pantry. On the other
side was a low, broad seat extending the whole length of the cabin, and
on this was a cushion which at night served as a mattress for the owner
of the boat.

Everything about the little craft was trim and plain, the only ornament
in sight being some brass work that surrounded the binnacle. It was
clear that it had been built with an eye to usefulness rather than
beauty.

"The first thing now, fellows," said Lester, after a quick glance around
had satisfied his curiosity, "is to get the water over into the sea
where it belongs. We'd better get off our shoes and socks and roll our
trousers up high."

In a twinkling, the boys were ready for wading.

"I have a bailer here," said Ross, producing it from the locker.

"That's all right but it isn't enough," said Fred. "I'll get Lester's,
and you fellows can rustle up something else that will do the trick."

The boys were rather restricted in their choice, but the articles they
finally got together for the purpose served well enough. As Teddy put
it, the collection was "neat but not gaudy." He had the frying pan, Bill
handled the coffee pot, Lester used a huge sponge, while Fred and Ross
did effective work with the bailers.

Before the onslaught of five sturdy pairs of arms, the water went down
quickly and was soon so low that only the sponge could be used. Five
minutes more, and the last drop had been squeezed over the side.

"There," said Lester, as he flung the sponge back into the _Ariel_.
"She's empty now and the hot sun will soon dry out the planks. But I
wouldn't advise you to sleep on those cushions to-night, unless you want
to get rheumatism or pneumonia."

"I'm not going to," answered Ross. "As soon as I get the engine going,
I'll beat it to Oakland, and I'll sleep between sheets to-night in a
regular bed."

"It won't be a bad place, either, after last night on the sand," replied
Teddy.

"Are you staying at Oakland right along, when you're not cruising
around?" asked Lester.

"Yes, I've been there for the last two months. I have relatives there."

"If there's nothing special to call you there now, I'd be glad to have
you come along with us to Bartanet Shoals," said Lester hospitably.

"That would be great!" exclaimed Fred. "Then we could tal