ettled for the night, for
it developed that one of the trunks containing some garments of the girls
had not arrived. But they "doubled up," and were fairly comfortable. As
for the boys, the sounds of merriment came from their quarters even at
a late hour.

"I'm glad I don't have to chaperone them," remarked Aunt Susan.

Morning came, as it generally does. Jack and his chums got their own
breakfast--in a more or less haphazard fashion--and then set off to the
railroad depot to see about the motor boat.

It was safe in the freight office, and was eagerly inspected by the boys.
For, while Cora and her motor girl chums really owned the dainty little
craft, the young men felt that they had almost a proprietary interest in
it.

"How are we going to get it over to the Cove?" asked Ed.

"On a truck, of course," replied Jack. "Then we'll knock off the
cradle----"

"Rocked in the cradle of the deep!" burst out Walter.

"Where's your permit to sing?" demanded Jack. "Stop it. Your swan song
will come in handy when we launch the _Pet_."

"Well, I guess this part of the work is strictly up to us," remarked
Norton, as he surveyed the boat. "And the sooner we get her into the
water the sooner we can have a ride."

"Right--oh!" exclaimed Jack. "I'll ask the freight agent about a truck."

That official told the boys where they could hire one, a certain man at
the Cove making a specialty of moving boats.

A little later the boys were perched on a big wagon, containing the boat,
and moving toward a boat-repair dock whence most of the launchings were
made.

The girls had word of the little ceremony that was to occur, and they
gathered at the place while the boys, with the help of one or two men,
arranged to slide the un-cradled boat into the water.

All went well until toward the end. Then the boat seemed to stick on the
rollers.

"Shove her hard!" cried Jack. "You fellows aren't putting half enough beef
into your shoves."

"All together now, boys!" cried Walter. "Here she goes!"

Just how it happened no one knew, but the _Pet_ suddenly shot down the
ways, sliding over the rollers. Jack, who had hold of her amidships, kept
his grip, and, as if not wanting to part company from the youth, or as
if objecting to taking the plunge alone, the motor boat shot into deep
water, carrying Jack with her. He clung to the gunwhale and shouted--not
in alarm, for he could swim, but in startled surprise.

"Hold her, Jack, hold her!" sh