Yes, it's all
settled, and I'll be ready to start with you Monday."

"Your mother has written to Captain Hooper?"

"Yes, and got word back in to-day's mail."

"Good!"

"I'm to buy a lot of things down to Carley's store and then go home and
start to pack up. Come on."

Arm in arm, the two chums made their way to the large general store,
where Tom Barnstable was again encountered. Here Mont purchased some
extra underclothing his mother said he needed. While he was at this Tom
Barnstable came close to him.

"When are ye goin' away?" he asked.

"Monday morning, six o'clock."

"Don't fergit the old man, Mont. We've had lots of good times--fishin'
an' huntin', ye know."

That was Tom Barnstable, good-natured and willing to do, but an absolute
beggar at the slightest chance.

"I won't forget you, Tom, not I," said the merry-hearted lad. "Here you
are," and he slipped a shining dollar into the man's hand. A moment
later he called one of the store clerks aside.

"Have you any of those April-fool cigars left?" he whispered.

"Yes--just four."

"I'll take them."

The cigars bought and paid for, the boy put three of them in an inside
pocket and then turned the fourth over to Tom Barnstable.

"Here, Tom, put the pipe away and have a real Havana to celebrate the
parting," he said, and the old man immediately did as requested.

The cigar burnt all right for just half a minute. Then something began
to bulge at the end. It kept growing larger and larger, forming into
what is called a Pharaoh's serpent, three or four feet long.

Tom Barnstable's eyes began to blaze. He stared at Mont wildly.

"Who--what--what is that?" he stammered. "Great Scott! I've got 'em!"

And, dashing the weed to the floor, he rushed from the country store,
with the boys' laugh ringing in his ears.

"He'll remember you now, no doubt of that!" said Link merrily.

The day was Saturday, and it was a busy one for both Mont and Link, with
packing trunks and bags, and getting ready otherwise.

The Sabbath passed quietly enough, and five o'clock Monday morning found
the two boys on their way to Nautical Hall.

The run of the train was to New York, and here they fell in with their
mutual chum, Carl Barnaby, a rich young fellow from their town, and
several others who will be introduced as our story progresses.

From the Metropolis the boys took another train directly for the
seacoast. At Pemberton they had to change cars, and here they met
se