years
of age, gazed at the visitor curiously a moment, and then said with a
hearty laugh:

"He'll have a chance to find out what an acquaintance with the ocean
means, for I understand that Mr. Emery is going to run well over to the
Bahamas before he comes back."

"Father has business there which it would be necessary to attend to not
later than next fall, so intends to make it a portion of the pleasure
trip."

"Are we likely to have much rough weather?" Teddy asked, realizing for
the first time that it was more than possible he might be called upon to
pay Neptune a tribute.

"Not at this time of the year; but its more'n probable the Sea Dream
will kick up her heels enough to show something of what is meant by a
life on the ocean wave before she pokes her nose into this port again."

Then the engineer was summoned from below, and the boys remained aft
recalling to mind all they had studied relative to the Bahama banks.

The stores were on board; everything was in readiness for the start as
soon as the owner should arrive, and when the steward summoned them to
supper it seemed as if the voyage had really begun.

CHAPTER II.

UNDER WEIGH.

It was a long while before the boys could close their eyes in slumber on
this first night aboard the Sea Dream, owing to the novelty of the
surroundings. It seemed as if Teddy would never cease admiring the snug
quarters with the guns and fishing rods hung where they could be seen to
the best advantage, and Neal had very much to say regarding the plans he
proposed to carry into execution during the cruise.

Despite such enchanting topics of conversation they were not able to
remain awake all night, and when finally the journey into dreamland was
made, neither returned to a full realization of the situation until
quite late in the morning.

Teddy was the first to open his eyes, and in a very few seconds the
throbbing of the screw, as well as the invigorating draught of cool air
which came through the open port-hole, told him that the voyage had
really begun.

"Neal, Neal," he cried, shaking his friend vigorously. "Wake up; I think
we are at sea."

Neal was on his feet in an instant, and after one glance through the
tiny window he replied with a laugh:

"There's no question about our being under way; but we sha'n't see the
sea to-day."

"Why, we are on it now."

"If you have forgotten your geography as soon as this you'll be obliged
to do some mighty hard st