Gordon," began Rob.
"No," interposed Jack. "We think _this_ ought to be the _Jolly
Pioneer_. We let Jim and Leo have the other boat, but we didn't mean
to give them the name too. We chose it, and we can't think of any we
like so well."
"Oh, keep it, then!" answered Jim, with a wave of the hand like that of
a stage hero resigning a fortune. (It was evident that the subject had
been broached before.) "We are quite able to choose a name ourselves;
we could think of half a dozen others if we wanted to, so you are
welcome to call your boat whatever you please."
The permission might, indeed, have been more graciously expressed; but
as Jim's words were accompanied by a good-natured smile. Jack wondered
if he might not accept it.
Mrs. Gordon stood, with the bottle in her hand, waiting for the
decision, but wisely refraining from comment; the boys always settled
their little disputes for themselves.
"Well, what shall it be? Speak!" she said.
"The _Jolly Pioneer_!" cried both.
The next moment there was a crash of broken glass and a dash of
ginger-pop on what was called by courtesy the bow.
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