New York, which would compel him to start for
that city in the afternoon.

"Now, boys, what is to be done?" asked he. "Will you postpone the trip
for a week?"

"I suppose we must," replied Henry; but the faces of the whole crew were
wofully elongated.

"I must give it up altogether, then," added Paul, bitterly disappointed;
and John was ready to howl at the idea of not going.

"I will see what can be done," continued Captain Littleton, as he called
Captain Gordon.

For a few moments they were engaged in earnest conversation together,
and the boys waited with anxious interest for the result of the
conference.

"Captain Gordon thinks he can take care of you, and I have concluded to
let you go without me."

"Hurrah!" shouted several of the boys.

"But, boys, I must put you on honor to behave well during the cruise.
Will you do it?"

"We will."

"And obey the orders of Captain Gordon in all things, whether you are on
board or on shore?"

"We will," replied all the boys at once.

"Very well; I shall trust you. If I return soon enough to join you at
Portsmouth, I shall do so. Good-by, now, and a pleasant cruise to you;"
and Captain Littleton went over the side.

"Good-by, sir," replied the crew.

"That's first rate--isn't it?" whispered Tom Nettle, as the captain
departed. "I am glad he isn't going."

"So am I," replied Frank Thompson.

"We shall not have him watching us all the time. Let me tell you, there
is fun ahead now," added Thomas.

Captain Briskett, who was to be first officer of the Flyaway, as well as
pilot, summoned them to the windlass to heave up the anchor; and in a
few minutes the yacht was standing down the harbor under all sail. The
Teneans gave three rousing cheers, and then distributed themselves in
various parts of the deck to enjoy the exciting scene.

"All hands aft," said Captain Gordon, when the yacht had reached the
open bay.

"Ay, ay, sir," replied several, as the crew took their places in the
standing room.

"Now, boys, we must make our arrangements. When a ship goes to sea, it
is customary to divide the crew into two watches. I shall take the
starboard watch, and Captain Briskett the larboard. Each of us will
choose a man in his turn till all are taken."

"Go on," said Captain Briskett.

"Henry Littleton," replied the skipper.

"Paul Duncan," added the pilot.

And so they proceeded till all the boys were chosen, except John, who
resented the slight thus put upon