would take three trunks to hold them, and
I don't believe sailors are ever allowed more than one. At least,
in all the pictures I ever saw of sailors going on board a ship they
only had a small box or bag on their shoulder, and, of course, that
must have contained all their clothes."

"I guess you're right, mother. I'll have to sort out some of these."

"Never mind. I'll do that. But what in the world are you doing
with those rubber boots?"

"I was going to take them along."

"Sailors seldom wear rubber boots. They go barefoot when it's wet
on deck." For Mrs. Henderson knew something about seafaring men,
from her long acquaintance with Captain Spark.

"Another mistake," admitted Bob, good-naturedly. "Guess I've got
lots to learn about the ocean and ships."

"Yes indeed, Bob. And I hope you will profit by it. It is no place
to play pranks, either, on board a ship."

"But I've read that when the ship crosses the equator the sailors
cut up all kinds of high jinks."

"Yes, I suppose they do, but that is not very often. I have no
doubt Captain Spark will permit fun on that occasion."

"If we go down around Cape Horn and up the west coast of North and
South America we'll cross the equator twice," went on Bob. "We can
have fun both times."

"I'm afraid you're thinking more of the fun you are going to have
than the real reason for this voyage, Bob. It is a punishment for
your prank on the minister."

"I know it, but, mom, I can't seem to feel that way about it."

"And I don't know as I blame you, Bob, though of course it was very
wrong to put glue on the reverend gentleman's chair."

Bob felt he must tell the news of his prospective voyage to his
chums. Leaving his mother to sort out his clothes, he went out in
the street. It was Saturday and there was no school. In fact, the
term would close in another week, so Bob would miss little
instruction by taking the cruise.

The first lad Bob met was Ted Neefus. His chum hurried up to him
and Inquired:

"Did he hurt you very much?"

"Who?"

"Your father."

"My father? What do you mean?"

"Didn't he give you a good walloping for that joke?"

"No. Not a bit of it. I'm going on a sea voyage with Captain
Spark."

"Honest?"

"Cross my heart," and Bob went through a rapid motion with his hands
somewhere over the region of his stomach.

"Where to?"

"Around Cape Horn."

"No jokin'?"

"Of course not. But that's nothing. Captain Spark