“Maybe I try him, I ton’t know,” answered the German youth, gravely.  And then even Tom had to turn away, to keep from roaring in Hans’ face.

The Rover boys went to the depot to meet the train which was to bring in the Stanhopes and the Lanings.  There was a little delay, but it was soon over and they were shaking hands warmly all around.

“It seems so delightful to go off on another trip!” said Dora, to Dick.  “I know I am going to enjoy it very much!”

“And I know I am going to enjoy it, too—­with you along,” answered Dick, with a smile which spoke volumes.

“Mother is quite excited—­thinking she is going on a treasure hunt,” went on Dora.  “But I think a few days’ rest on shipboard will quiet her nerves.”

“I hope for your sake, Dora, our hunt proves successful,” added Dick, gallantly.

“I have always wanted to go to the West Indies,” said Nellie Lanning to Tom.  “I want to pick some ripe bananas and cocoanuts right from the trees.

“Yes, and ripe oranges,” put in Grace.  “Won’t it be jolly?” she added, turning to Sam.

“Too jolly for anything!” murmured Sam, and then he gave Grace’s arm a little squeeze and led her through the crowd to where a carriage was in waiting.

There were trunks to be looked after, but the checks for these were turned over to Aleck, and the colored man saw to it that all the baggage was properly transferred to the steam yacht.

It was with not a little pride that the boys took the Stanhopes and the Lanings aboard the Rainbow, for, although they did not own the elegant craft it was something to even have her under charter.  Mr. Rover met the newcomers at the gangplank and made them welcome.

“Oh, but isn’t this just too lovely for anything!” cried Dora, as she surveyed the double stateroom assigned to her and her mother.  “And look at the fine bunch of roses on the stand!” She looked at Dick.  “This is some of your doings, isn’t it?”

“Yes.”

“Thank you very much!  But you must have one,” and the girl promptly pinned one of the largest in his buttonhole.

“This is more than comfortable,” said Mrs. Stanhope, with a sigh of satisfaction.  And then she sank down in an easy chair to rest, for the long journey from Cedarville had greatly fatigued her.

In the meantime the other boys had taken the Lanings to another double stateroom, equally luxurious.  Here a vase held a big bunch of carnations, the gift of Tom and Sam combined.  Nellie and Grace and their mother were much pleased and said so.

“Tom, I could almost hug you for this!” cried Nellie, in a low voice.

“Well, nobody is stopping you,” he added promptly.

“All right, I will—­on your next birthday,” cried Nellie, not to be caught.  “But really, I’m a thousand times obliged to you.”

“This is like a room in a fairies’ palace!” exclaimed Grace.  “I know when I go to sleep I’ll dream of fairies and rainbows, and pots of gold—­”