ountry, we must go outside
again."

There being no other way, the boys presently unanimously agreed to face
the music. Besides, their previous success at riding the heaving
billows of the ocean began to give them confidence.

"If we go around Florida, and bring up in the Gulf, we're likely to do
a lot of this outside business," remarked George, as bravely as though
he never knew what fear meant.

"Yes," put in Nick, also valiant when settled on solid ground, "and I
suppose we've just got to get used to the thing. Who's afraid, anyhow?
Settle it just as you think best, Jack. We rely on your judgment every
time. That's why we elected you to be commodore of the fleet."

"Hear! hear!" murmured Josh, pretending to applaud the noble sentiment
feebly with his finger-tips.

Once the plan of campaign was settled, they all felt better. For some
time they had known that this problem must come up for solution sooner
or later, and truth to tell, it had been rather a load on their minds.
There is a positive relief in knowing the worst. Means for meeting the
difficulty can then be discussed; and as a rule most obstacles lose
much of their terror when held up to the light.

The little insect pests came around in such numbers that it was quickly
decided a night ashore would not be comfortable. Nick was the only one
who rebelled.

"Why, I'd put up with ten million skeeters before I'd voluntarily
choose to try and compose myself to sleep in that narrow rocking
coffin," he declared.

"Now, I like that," complained George, always up in arms when his
beloved craft was spoken of in an uncomplimentary manner. "Look a gift
horse in the mouth, if you like; but the sleeping accommodations aboard
are good enough for _me_. And to show you that I don't bear any
malice, Nick, I'm going to help you fix up a berth on shore here."

Nick might have backed out, only he dared not after that, and sly
George, who really delighted in the prospect of having plenty of room
to turn over in, knew it, which was the main reason for his offer of
assistance.

So when the time came for retiring Nick was left ashore with a little
tent constructed of cheese cloth, which was believed to be so closely
woven that even the smallest insect pest could not pass through.

Nick had tried his best to coax Josh to share his accommodations; but
the lanky one was content with his comfortable quarters aboard. Even
Jimmy shook his head when the fat boy showed h