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drinkables； we had stored in the stern of the Dolphin a generous bag of
hard…tack （for the chowder）； a piece of pork to fry the cunners in； three
gigantic apple pies （bought at Pettingil's）； half a dozen lemons； and a keg
of spring waterthe last…named articles were slung over the side； to keep it
cool； as soon as we got under way。 The crockery and the bricks for our
camp… stove we placed in the bows with the groceries； which included
sugar； pepper； salt； and a bottle of pickles。 Phil Adams contributed to the
outfit a small tent of unbleached cotton cloth； under which we intended to
take our nooning。
We unshipped the mast； threw in an extra oar； and were ready to
embark。 I do not believe that Christopher Columbus； when he started on
his rather successful voyage of discovery； felt half the responsibility and
importance that weighed upon me as I sat on the middle seat of the
Dolphin； with my oar resting in the rowlock。 I wonder if Christopher
Columbus quietly slipped out of the house without letting his estimable
family know what he was up to？ Charley Marden； whose father had
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promised to cane him if he ever stepped foot on sail or row boat； came
down to the wharf in a sour… grape humor； to see us off。 Nothing would
tempt him to go out on the river in such a crazy clam…shell of a boat。 He
pretended that he did not expect to behold us alive again； and tried to
throw a wet blanket over the expedition。
〃Guess you'll have a squally time of it；〃 said Charley； casting off the
painter。 〃I'll drop in at old Newbury's〃 （Newbury was the parish
undertaker） 〃and leave word； as I go along！〃
〃Bosh！〃 muttered Phil Adams； sticking the boathook into the string…
piece of the wharf； and sending the Dolphin half a dozen yards toward the
current。
How calm and lovely the river was！ Not a ripple stirred on the glassy
surface； broken only by the sharp cutwater of our tiny craft。 The sun； as
round and red as an August moon； was by this time peering above the
water…line。
The town had drifted behind us； and we were entering among the
group of islands。 Sometimes we could almost touch with our boat… hook
the shelving banks on either side。 As we neared the mouth of the harbor； a
little breeze now and then wrinkled the blue water； shook the spangles
from the foliage； and gently lifted the spiral mist…wreaths that still clung
alongshore。 The measured dip of our oars and the drowsy twitterings of
the birds seemed to mingle with； rather than break； the enchanted silence
that reigned about us。
The scent of the new clover comes back to me now； as I recall that
delicious morning when we floated away in a fairy boat down a river like
a dream！
The sun was well up when the nose of the Dolphin nestled against the
snow…white bosom of Sandpeep Island。 This island； as I have said before；
was the last of the cluster； one side of it being washed by the sea。 We
landed on the river…side； the sloping sands and quiet water affording us a
good place to moor the boat。
It took us an hour or more to transport our stores to the spot selected
for the encampment。 Having pitched our tent； using the five oars to
support the canvas； we got out our lines； and went down the rocks seaward
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to fish。 It was early for cunners； but we were lucky enough to catch as nice
a mess as ever you saw。 A cod for the chowder was not so easily secured。
At last Binny Wallace hauled in a plump little fellow clustered all over
with flaky silver。
To skin the fish； build our fireplace； and cook the chowder kept us
busy the next two hours。
The fresh air and the exercise had given us the appetites of wolves；
and we were about famished by the time the savory mixture was ready for
our clam…shell saucers。
I shall not insult the rising generation on the seaboard by telling them
how delectable is a chowder compounded and eaten in this Robinson
Crusoe fashion。 As for the boys who live inland； and know not of such
marine feasts； my heart is full of pity for them。 What wasted lives！ Not to
know the delights of a clambake； not to love chowder； to be ignorant of
lobscouse！
How happy we were； we four； sitting cross…legged in the crisp salt
grass； with the invigorating seabreeze blowing gratefully through our hair！
What a joyous thing was life； and how far off seemed deathdeath； that
lurks in all pleasant places； and was so near！
The banquet finished； Phil Adams drew from his pocket a handful of
sweet…fern cigars； but as none of the party could indulge without imminent
risk of becoming ill； we all； on one pretext or another； declined； and Phil
smoked by himself。
The wind had freshened by this； and we found it comfortable to put on
the jackets which had been thrown aside in the heat of the day。 We strolled
along the beach and gathered large quantities of the fairy…woven Iceland
moss； which at certain seasons is washed to these shores； then we played
at ducks and drakes； and then； the sun being sufficiently low； we went in
bathing。
Before our bath was ended a slight change had come over the sky and
sea； fleecy…white clouds scudded here and there； and a muffled moan from
the breakers caught our ears from time to time。 While we were dressing； a
few hurried drops of rain came lisping down； and we adjourned to the tent
to wait the passing of the squall。
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〃We're all right； anyhow；〃 said Phil Adams。 〃It won't be much of a
blow； and we'll be as snug as a bug in a rug； here in the tent； particularly if
we have that lemonade which some of you fellows were going to make。
By an oversight； the lemons had been left in the boat。 Binny Wallace
volunteered to go for them。
〃Put an extra stone on the painter； Binny；〃 said Adams； calling after
him； 〃it would be awkward to have the Dolphin give us the slip and return
to port minus her passengers。〃