“Dad thought you wouldn’t mind if he ‘pirated’ your invention for sailing purposes,” Sandy explained with a giggle. “He had to sneak the blueprints out of your lab one night, because we asked him to keep the boat a surprise.”
“A swell application-and one I’d never have thought of,” Tom confessed. “I like that name, too-the Sunspot! Whose idea was that?”
“Phyl and I worked it out,” Sandy replied. “You see, the letters in Sunspot stand for the names of all the persons who’ll sail on her-at least most of them do.
S for Swift, N for Newton, S for Sandy, P for Phyl, and T for Tom. And the U is for you, Bud!” she added laughingly.
“Thanks!” Bud grinned and winked at Tom. “Glad to know I’m a member of the family-I’ve sure wanted to be!”
“And now,” said Phyl, “you two boys draw lots to see who’ll be skipper on our trip out to the bathing beach.”
Tom and Bud were told to shut their eyes while two strips of paper were stuck between cushions in the cockpit. Bud drew the longer and gave a whoop of glee.
“What an honor!” he cried. “Captain of the Sunspot on her maiden voyage!
All hands to quarters, me hearties! And look smart now, or I’ll clap you in irons!”
Tom chuckled and snapped a brisk salute. “Aye
146 COSMIC ASTRONAUTS
aye, sir, but please don’t sink us!” A moment later he ducked, amid giggles from the girls, as Bud pretended to lash out with a cat-o’-nine-tails.
After checking their running gear and breaking out the sails, the quartet shoved off from the dock. As soon as they were clear of the slip, Bud gave the order to hoist canvas. Mainsail and mizzen billowed aloft majestically. Then, while Bud handled the wheel and Sandy the mainsheet, Tom and Phyl went forward to set the jib.