up through the
companion hatch, and do just what we had done--jump overboard.

"I do declare that must be Cousin Jack!" cried Oliver. "We will
surprise him."

In half a minute we had again slipped out of our clothes, and were in
the water on the opposite side to that on which the schooner lay. We
then swam round together; and there, sure enough, we saw Jack's ruddy
countenance as he puffed and blew and spluttered as he came towards us.

"How do you do, Brother Grampus?" cried Oliver.

In another moment we were all treading water and shaking hands, and
laughing heartily at having thus met, like some strange fish out in the
ocean. Greatly to our delight, we learned that the schooner we had
admired was Uncle Tom Westerton's new yacht, the Dolphin; and Jack said
he thought it was very likely that His father would accompany us, and he
hoped that he would when he knew where we were going.

This, of course, was jolly news. We could not talk much just then, as
we found it required some exertion to prevent ourselves being drifted
away with the tide. We therefore, having asked Jack to come and
breakfast with us, climbed on board again. He said that he would gladly
do so, but did not wish to tell his father, as he wanted to surprise
him.

A short time afterwards, Uncle Tom Westerton poked his head (with a
nightcap on the top of it) up the companion hatchway, rubbing his eyes,
yawning and stretching out his arms, while he looked about him as if he
had just awakened out of sleep. He was dressed in a loose pair of
trousers and a dressing-gown, with slippers on his feet.

"Good morning to you, Uncle Tom!" shouted Oliver and I.

"Hullo! where did you come from?" he exclaimed.

"From Portsmouth last. This is papa's new yacht; and we are going to
sail round England," I answered.

Just then papa, who had no idea that the Dolphin was close to us, came
on deck. The surprise was mutual.

Uncle Tom and Jack were soon on board; and during breakfast it was
settled that we should sail together round England, provided papa would
wait a day until uncle could get the necessary provisions and stores on
board; and in the mean time we settled to visit Beaulieu river and
Cowes, and at the latter place the Dolphin was to rejoin us next day.

We, as may be supposed, looked forward to having great fun. We had
little doubt, although the Lively was smaller than the Dolphin, that we
could sail as fast as she could, while we should be