The cruisers had been securely tied up, since there was no danger of
any storm out on the river dashing them against the shore in this
peaceful harbor.

Having brought the mess chests ashore, together with what cooking
things they needed, the boys began preparations for supper. Many hands
make light work, and Jack utilized every one for some purpose. Some
laid in a supply of wood, others opened cans, while Josh, being the
boss cook of the crowd, took charge of the menu.

Meanwhile night began to settle around them, and with the coming
darkness a swarm of insect pests developed.

"Whoop!" cried Nick, as he made his fat arms swing around his head like
a couple of old-time flails; "what d'ye call all this, tell me? Every
time I open my mouth a dozen hop right in. Talk to me about skeeters,
these must be the frisky Jersey brand we've heard so much about."

"Say, it's lucky Jack thought to get nets for us all in Philadelphia,"
remarked Herb, as he too waved the invaders aside when they harried him.

"No sleeping ashore for me here," declared George. "The varmints would
carry a fellow off bodily, I do believe."

A little breeze springing up caused the insects to drop into the grass
again, so that the boys had some peace. Supper being ready, they
finally sat around, and started to partake of the first meal of the
great cruise.

As they were furiously hungry of course everything tasted just
splendid; but then it was good without any starvation sauce to tempt
them, for Josh had always proved a remarkably clever cook, even though
caring so little himself for eating.

After the edge of their appetites had been taken off, the six boys
began to chat and joke. Josh was pleased to get a chance to sing one
of his little ditties, and required very little urging, after the meal
was over, and the things cleared away.

It was mighty nice, sitting there in comfortable attitudes, listening
to Josh sing, and with the flames jumping up as Nick threw another
armful of fuel on the fire. Now and then one of them would make a
hurried slap at some over-strenuous mosquito that insisted on having
his meal, too; but, taken in all, the boys were enjoying it
tremendously.

"When does the moon show up?" asked Herb, after a time.

"Why, it's already up there in the west, and a fair-sized crescent,
too," remarked Jack. "Each night it'll get bigger, until we have it
full. That's the time I like most of all, when she hangs up there