nd any
one to go with me. What have you been thinking about, governor?"

"About gettin' away from here. I can't stay on this island much longer,
'cause it's too near the village; an' another thing, grub's scarce. I'm
going over to Newport this very night to see them fellers; an' if
they'll stick to us, we'll see some fun yet. Will you go?"

"I will," answered Tom, readily; "that is, if you will help me square
yards with the principal of the academy."

"I'll do it; there's my hand on it. I always knowed you were a brick,
Muley, an' now I'll tell you what I have been thinkin' about since we've
been sittin' here. In the first place," continued the governor, helping
himself to another slice of the water-melon, "I take it fur granted that
Friday, Will Atkins, Xury, an' Jack Spaniard will go with us, an' help
us carry out our idea. I know them fellers, an' I am sure they can be
depended on. We'll start the Crusoe band ag'in. I will be the head man,
as I was before; an' if you'll promise, honor bright, not to try any
tricks on us, we'll call you cap'n, an' we'll give you command of the
vessel, when we get her."

"All right," said Tom, "I'll not play any tricks on you as long as you
obey orders and behave yourselves; but if you get up a mutiny, and try
to make me a foremast hand, as you did before, I'll knock the whole
thing higher than a kite. You must bear two things in mind, governor: I
know more about managing these matters than you do, and I am a better
sailor. I was president of the Gentlemen's Club, and grand commander of
the Night-Hawks. That runaway expedition from the academy, that made
such a stir in the village, originated with me, and I carried it out
successfully; and that's more than any other boy in Newport could have
done. I was second in command of the Swallow during that cruise, and, if
I had had one or two more friends, I would have been made master of her
when the fellows put Rich out. If I go with you, I must be captain of
the vessel; and, more than that, you must promise, in the presence of
the band, to stand by me, and see that my orders are obeyed to the very
letter."

"I'll agree to that, Muley," said Sam.

"Call me captain," interrupted Tom; "I never did like that other name.
The second thing you must remember is, that, if you and I are friends,
the expedition will be successful; but, if you make an enemy of me, I'll
ruin it in some way or another. Let's hear the rest of your plan."

"I can te