the bosom of his coat, and his chest
thrown out.

"They did!" shrieked Buster, falling back. "Do you hear that, George?
Ah, me! why was I born under an unlucky star? Get busy now, Jack, and
tell us all about it. Next to being a hero myself I like to hear about
you doing big things. Reel off the yarn now, and don't you dare hold
back a single thrill."

Of course the other boys were deeply interested in what Jack had to
tell. They stopped him many times to ask questions, under the belief
that he was not going deeply enough into details. But finally the
story was told.

Toward four in the afternoon they began to realize that they were
drawing near a large and busy city on the eastern shore. Boats could
be seen upon the river, and cotton began to be in evidence everywhere.

"This is Memphis, all right," said Jack, as he looked through the
glasses at the buildings on the high bank of the river.

"How long will we stay here?" asked Nick, who had some idea on his
mind, as the others readily understood from his abstracted manner.

"A day or two," replied Jack. "All depends on how long it will take to
have the _Wireless_ engine overhauled thoroughly; and then you know, we
have to wait until the other boys drop along. They may get here
tomorrow. But what do you ask for, Buster?"

"Why, I was thinking that perhaps I might be able to find a pair at
some store here. They would be apt to keep such splendid life saving
things, I guess," replied Nick, anxiously.

"A pair of socks?" asked Jack, pretending not to understand.

"Sure, 'tis a pair of oilskin pants he manes," cried Jimmie. "Didn't
ye say how the wans he had on filled out wid air the toime he wint
overboard. 'Tis ilegant loife presarvers they make whin naded!"

"Oh! quit your kidding, fellows!" said Nick, in disgust. "You know
what I've been shy on all this blessed trip. A pair of wings; not
angel wings, but canvas ones, to keep a new beginner swimmer from
sinking. I tell you I'd never lost all this flesh with worry on this
cranky, wobbly boat if I'd known I had those jolly things along. I do
hope I'll find them in Memphis."

"You just bet I do," declared George, with a sigh. "Because I've heard
nothing else all the journey but your whines about those pesky missing
silly wings. Get a whole dozen sets if you can, Pudding, and it'll
make you any happier. I'll stand the bill, for the sake of the peace
of mind it brings."

"That's just the way h