hem my apology. Will that do?"

"Captain, you're a brick," shouted Jack, forgetting for a moment in his
enthusiasm the difference in their rank. The next moment he was all
confusion over his breach of etiquette.

Laughing, the captain preceded him up the companion-way and called to
the mate. He then ordered the boys who had been shipped aboard the
"Quickstep," released and turned over to the captain of the Fortuna.
This was done much to the mate's disgust.

There need be no doubt as to the heartiness of the greetings that passed
between the separated members of the Beaver and Bob White Patrols once
they were united again. Introductions followed hastily.

As the "Quickstep" sailed away on her course again, the crew of the
Fortuna gathered on top of the cabin and waved a farewell, cheering
until they were hoarse. At length Jack called them below.

"How about some eats?" queried Tom. "I'm so empty I'd make a first rate
drum. I declare I haven't had anything to eat in weeks."

"Rubber," shouted Harry. "Stretch it. You mustn't fib."

"Well, I mean it seems that long," declared Tom. "Who'll be the cook?
Shall we run slowly until breakfast is ready?"

"That's a good idea," Jack answered. "Let's run under a check until
breakfast is over, then we'll make good time straight for Biloxi."

"Hurray, we're homeward bound," shouted Tom. "Hurray again!"

"Shower bath first," cried Arnold, dragging out the hose.

What a glorious morning that was. Doright laughed until he could laugh
no more to see the antics of the boys who took turns holding the hose on
each other. The sun was just up clear of the horizon ushering in a day
that promised to be beautiful. Only a slight swell was running on the
Gulf giving the boys an excellent opportunity for a shower bath on deck.
They availed themselves of the opportunity and frolicked about to their
heart's content.

At length the boys produced the brushes and proceeded to scrub the
Fortuna until she shone--as Tom put it--"like a new bottle."

Jack volunteered to act as cook, drafting Arnold to assist because of
the extra number of mouths to be fed. Doright stayed about the
kitchenette, taking in every detail of the splendidly equipped boat. To
his eyes, unaccustomed to anything of the sort, the vessel was splendid
beyond compare. He was charmed.

Presently breakfast was served. All did ample justice to the shrimps,
sweet potatoes and chicken gumbo that Jack had prepared. The excellence