Will you come with us ?" "Thank you, Ruthven," Frank said; "I should like it very much, but you know I'm short of pocket money, and I can't pay my share of the boat, so I would rather leave it alone." "Oh, nonsense, Hargate!" Ruthven answered; "we know money is not your strong point, but we really want you to go with us.

You can manage a boat better than any of us, and you will really oblige us if you will go with us." "Oh, if you put it in that way," Frank said, "I shall be glad to go with you; but I do not think," he went on, looking at the sky, "that the weather looks very settled.

However, if you do not mind the chance of a ducking, I don't." "That's agreed then," Ruthven said; "will you meet us near the pier at three o'clock ?" "All right.

I'll be punctual." At the appointed hour the four lads met on the beach.

Ruthven and his companions wanted to choose a light rowing boat, but Frank strongly urged them to take a much larger and heavier one.