The Boy Chums Cruising in Florida Waters

will pay us best to get everything fixed up right first, then we will have nothi

, and they shall be carrie

can see, except to clean it up a little. But we need something for beds, bare planks mak

the sweet salty smell of it. I'll bring some up from

ley continued. "It's a little trouble to build one, but there's

jes' what kind ob oven I wants. I'se goin' to see if I can't find something to

t of the work, then. Come on, Walt, we have go

e two boys would have taken but a short time to complete their task

ngth as we can, that will save some cutting which would be an almost impossible job without saw or axe. We had better tackle the dock job firs

some time to find just what they wanted and carry it

umped their last load on the sand. "That is to get our posts set. I d

id Walter, beginning

f the posts upright and attempted to work the end do

hich only sank the post a few inches in the hard sand. "It wou

y agreed, ruefully. "Too bad. Of course one is not absolutely neces

primitive, clumsy, hand-labor methods. This is an age of machinery and brains. Now, if I were boss of this, j

ched to the position, anyway. It will be a good opening for you. You will be able to say in fut

the misfortune of the truly great not to be appreciated until they are dead. If you will bring

worst of the good-natured banter, obedie

e when I point it out, is inclosed in a hollow iron jacket. This thing down here is a pump, and you will notice that there is one pipe running from it down through the bottom of the boat and also ano

id Charley

oes through the bottom of the boat. The water is forced through the other pipe into the jacket and passes overboard again

es than I suspected yester

iny person to make practical use of such things. Now, we'll just fasten the end of that hose to the end of the post and

the wrong way and pump the poor po

labor," replied Walter, calmly. "I shall si

e owned it by starting up the

e post steady," Walter command

are-backed, sat proudly and comfortably in the launch tending the switch and giving orders with sarcastic comments on the worker's ability. From time to time, Charley glanced up with a mal

he ordered. "By jove, how are we going to fast

oted Charley. "Surely my brilliant superinte

ed. "I resign as superintendent. Give your orders, Mr. Super and I'

the matter with this wate

it is just nice, cool, clear sea water. I am enjoying it. The s

reason for the smarting dawned upon him. "Now laugh.

r, the two boys made light work

t fiber with which he securely bound the cross pieces in place. After that it was on

as they consisted merely of two poles

captain and Chris had not wasted their time. The cabin had been made neat and clean and in each

d of rude, flat-topped stove out of rocks, and the fragrant

tes as good as it smells, it w

t make no difference if dat poor white trash steals all the grub, dis nigger can get up a good m

was delicious. "What's this, Chris?" Charley asked, as he sma

ro. "Dey are powerful hard to open an' clean, but dey sure beat oysters all hollow for tast

the tender, baked bud of a palmetto cabbage, and great red, boiled claws of stone crabs. To top of

e Chris urged more upon them, tickled wit

t last. "Come on, Walt, stop it. There is more work to do this afternoon and I don

fuls of food," grumbled Walter as he r

ves more familiar with the launch's engine. Night found all hands tired and sleepy. As soon as supper was ove

im from his sound slumber. This sudden awakening was a habit bred by his adventurous life amid the perils of sea and forest. Silently he waited, every nerve alert, t

don't know what's the matter, but some one is signaling on