for us
to get the coastguard's boat for the day at Sound Bay (you know there's
never any one there to look after it), and sail across to Long Stork
Island, and knock about there for the day, just to see how we get on.
Of course, we shall have to come back before six; but we must make
believe we've landed there for good, and see how we manage. And, of
course, if we get on there, we're bound to get on at New Swishford, for
it's a far jollier place than the Long Stork."

Bowler's proposition was hailed with acclamation. His hearers were just
in the humour to put their enthusiasm to the test, and the notion of a
picnic on the Long Stork as a sort of full-dress rehearsal of the
capture of New Swishford suited them exactly.

They proceeded immediately to discuss ways and means, and found that by
putting their pocket-moneys together they could raise the very
respectable sum of forty-one shillings. Reserving the odd shilling for
the possible contingency of having to "square" a coastguard for the use
of the boat, they had two pounds to devote to the purchase of stores,
weapons, and other necessaries; and, as Gayford pointed out, of course
anything they got that wasn't eatable would come in for New Swishford.

A sub-committee, consisting of Bowler, Braintree and Wester, was
appointed to expend the funds of the adventurers to the best advantage,
and meanwhile each member was asked to report what else he could
contribute in the way of stores to the general need. Before the end of
the week the list was handed in, and as the documents might some day be
of immense value to the future historian of New Swishford, I quote them
here.

_Bowler_.--A waterproof, a hat-box, a pair of cricket bails, and a fold-
up chair.

_Gayford_.--The chart, a compass, jam-pots for baling out boats, an
eight-blade knife, a hammer and tacks, and a chessboard.

_Braintree_.--The wifle (pwaps), _Wobinson Cwusoe_, gloves, and
umbwellah.

_Tubbs_.--A crib to Sallust (sorry that's all I've got).

_Crashford_.--Clay pipe, pack of cards, a corkscrew, a strap, and _Hal
Hiccup the Boy Demon_.

_Wester_.--Three tumblers, bottle of ginger-beer, and a bat.

_Wallas_.--A saucepan and two eggs, a rope, and Young's _Night
Thoughts_.

At the same time the sub-committee reported the purchase of the
following stores:--

Fourteen tins of potted shrimps, 14 shillings;
Ditto ditto peaches, 14 shillings;
Ditto bottles of lemonade, 3 shillings 6 pence;