bum-be-rell!
This spirited ode was the arrangement of Phil, who prided himself hugely
upon it. He did not claim it as original, but as having been “arranged”
and “adapted” to its present tune.
“Well, boys,” said Bruce at length, “I dare say we are making some
progress; but it strikes me that it hardly pays.”
“No,” said Tom. “At this rate it’ll take us till to-morrow morning to
make another mile.”
“I don’t object to rowing all night,” said Phil, “but I do object to row
without getting the benefit of it.”
“I move,” said Arthur, “that we vote the sweeps a humbug.”
“I second that motion,” said Phil.
“Gentlemen,” said Bruce, “it’s being moved and seconded, that the sweeps
are a humbug. Those of that mind will please manifest it by saying Ay.”
“Ay!” rang forth from Arthur, Tom, and Phil.
“Contrary minds, Nay.”
No response.
“It’s a vote,” said Bruce. “And now, gentlemen, we may as well consider
what’s to be done next.”
“O, well,” said Phil, as he and the other boys left the sweeps which
Turnbull and Wade, however, still kept working. “I suppose there’s
nothing left to do but to turn in.”
“It can’t be helped,” said Arthur.
“We’ll have to make the best of it,” said Tom.
“I say, boys,” said Bruce, “why can’t we take the boat and row to
Chester?”
“A good idea,” cried Arthur. “Capital. I only wish we’d done it before.”
“Captain,” said Tom, “we’re going to take the boat.”
“Hadn’t you better wait a little,” said the anxious Corbet, who was
evidently not pleased with the proposal.
“O there’s no use; we want to get to Chester to-night. You’ll get along
before morning. How many miles is it from here?” he asked, turning to
Turnbull.
“Four,” said that taciturn individual.
“Four miles. Well, boys, what do you say?”
“I’m agreed,” said Bruce.
“And I,” said Arthur.
“Anything’s better than this,” said Phil; “so I agree to the boat.”
With this agreement they all turned to the boat, and got in. A few brief
directions were given by Turnbull, and the boys pulled away. First Bruce
and Arthur pulled, then Tom and Phil. Taking turns in this way, they
had the satisfaction of seeing themselves making good progress, and at
length reached the wharf at Chester.
It was about three o’clock in the morning. They knocked up the people at
the inn, and hurried up to their rooms. They were so utterly worn out,
and so sleepy, that they did not think of asking about Bart and Pat, but
tumbled into bed, and in a few moments were all sound asleep.